Are you in need of a mobility aid that has style and perfect functionality? Today we’re going to be talking about the Elenker Knee Walker, which is a favorite mobility aid of ours.
We’ll walk you through what the Elenker brand represents and what Elenker Knee Walkers are. Then, we’ll give you 3 alternative knee walkers that each makes walking more comfortable. Ready to dive in? So are we!
About Elenker
Before we go into detail about what makes the Elenker Knee Walker so great, we’d like to give you some context about the brand. It’s always a good idea to look into what a brand is all about before putting money in their pocket.
Where Elenker Operates and What the Brand Does
Elenker is a U.S. brand that operates out of Chino, California. Elenker is a responsibly run brand that cares about giving back to the community. In 2020, Elenker began donating masks to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March of 2020, this company has donated over 1,000,000 face masks to hospitals across the U.S.
What Products Elenker Makes
Elenker is a high-quality brand with a product line of mobility aids. Which mobility aids, exactly? Here is a list of their products from the Elenker website:
- Knee Walkers
- Upright Walkers
- Rollator Walkers
- Electric Wheelchairs
As you can see, Elenker is dedicated to making products that help their customers move throughout their daily lives comfortably. There are various models for each type of product so they can meet the needs of each customer.
What is a Knee Walker?
What is a knee walker and how is it different from other kinds of walkers? Well, knee walkers have:
- 4 wheels
- A seat to rest 1 knee on
- Handlebars
- A basket attached to the front
The 4 wheels keep the knee walker balanced while you’re using it. The seat is meant to comfortably fit your knee as you rest it, and the handlebars allow you to steer. The basket attached to the front is included, too, so you can keep all your important belongings close to you while you use the walker.
How Do You Use a Knee Walker?
Using a knee walker is very easy! The 4 wheels, with 2 on each side of the walker, make it easy to keep your balance as you walk. To make sure you know exactly what you’re doing in time for your new knee walker, here are some easy steps to follow:
- Place one knee on the seat, finding a comfortable position.
- Put both hands on the handlebars for balance.
- Walk with the foot not elevated so you push the knee walker forward.
- Place items in the front basket if you need to carry things with you.
What to Look for in a Good Knee Walker
There are many knee walkers available nowadays, but not all knee walkers are made the same. We want to help you pick out a knee walker that is a cut above the rest, which is why we’ve compiled a list of what to look out for in a great knee walker.
Comfortable Seat for Knee
You’d hate for your knee to get sore or uncomfortable from an uncomfortable knee walker. A great knee walker should have a seat that is both firm enough to support your knee and soft enough to be comfortable.
If you can, read reviews online about what others are saying about the knee walker they got. If anyone has had issues with the seat, someone is sure to say something.
Easy Steering
Great knee walkers don’t drift to the right or left because of faulty steering. The handlebars should be easy to grip and comfortable in your hands. When you turn the handles to the right or left, they should move the wheels smoothly in the intended direction. They shouldn’t get stuck, either, which some knee walkers have been known to do.
Lightweight and Compact
The point of a knee walker is convenience! A knee walker should make your life easier, not harder, which means it shouldn’t be big and bulky. Heavy knee walkers are difficult to maneuver and store away when you’re done using them. Make sure you can easily lift your knee walker so it’s helping instead of hindering you.
Price
As with any product, knee walkers vary by price. Some are wildly expensive, and some are suspiciously inexpensive. The price range you’re looking for to ensure you have a quality knee walker without getting ripped off is between $100-$400. Knee walkers below $75 are too good to be true.
Warranty
Since knee walkers are a more expensive product and vital to many peoples’ daily lives, many companies include warranties. It’s easy to see if the knee walker you’re interested in comes with warranties by checking out the company website. Warranties should be listed in the product description. If not, you can always send the manufacturer an email with your question.
Quality of Construction
An excellent knee walker will be constructed with quality materials. You can check what materials are used to make a product in the product’s description. If you’re buying a knee walker in person, check the product model in the store to see how different parts fit together and if the handlebars are easy to turn.
Extra Features
Not all knee walkers come equipped with a basket in the front, but a lot do. The Elenker Knee Walker, for example, does come with this basket so you can have somewhere to store your belongings without putting strain on your shoulders, back, or arms. If you need to carry a purse, bag, or other items with you frequently, a knee walker with a basket is the way to go.
Features of the Elenker Knee Walker
Now that we’ve gone over what to look for in a quality knee walker, we’re excited to tell you about the Elenker Knee Walker. We selected this knee walker because of its durability, affordability, sleek design, and functionality. If you need a mobility aid that keeps pressure off of your palms as you walk, this is the perfect product.
Steering
The handlebars on the Elenker Knee Walker, which are easy to grip, give you smooth steering power. The handlebars turn easily, so you won’t have to yank them to the left or right to get where you need to go. The brakes on the handles make it easy to stop suddenly if you need to, which is a great feature to have.
Storage
You’ll have storage space with the Elenker Knee Walker! This knee walker comes with a basket attached to the front. If you need to carry a purse, bag, or other things with you, the basket really comes in handy. Compared to other knee walkers, this one has a very spacious basket, too.
Lightweight
The Elenker Knee Walker only weighs 23 pounds. For the size of a knee walker, 23 pounds is very lightweight. Being lightweight, it’s easy to carry this knee walker when you need to store it somewhere. It’s also easy to use and maneuver with because it won’t feel bulky.
Compact
This knee walker gets very high points when it comes to how compact it is! One of the great features of the Elenker Knee Walker is that it can be folded up easily. The handlebars fold down, and the seat folds up when you’re ready to store it. Its compact design makes it easy to travel with, too, which is a really important feature we look for in mobility aids.
Price Range
An Elenker Knee Walker will cost you between $110-$130. This is a reasonably low price for a knee walker that has as many benefits as this one. This fits within the average price range for a knee walker, so its low price isn’t too good to be true.
Warranty
You’ll have to ask the seller directly about their warranty policies. To do this, find the link on the webpage that lets you inquire about warranties or find the link for sending an email to customer service. Not every manufacturer has their warranties listed on their webpage, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have warranties on their products.
Comfortable Seat
The seat on the Elenker Knee Walker was made for comfort. It is curved so that your knee rests in the middle without being strained, and it’s made from a firm yet plush material. The seat is adjustable, too, to match your height. Elenker went above and beyond for comfort, and the seat is one of its most loved aspects.
Pros and Cons to the Elenker Knee Walker
Still not sure if the Elenker Knee Walker is the mobility aid for you? To help you decide, we’ve made a list of pros and cons for this product. While its quality is undeniable, some may not love that warranty information has to be asked about privately.
Pros
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Cons
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Alternative to the Elenker Knee Walker
If you aren’t sold on the Elenker Knee Walker or want to view some other options before making your final choice, we have 3 more knee walkers to show you! All 3 of these quality knee walkers are easy to use, built for comfort, and within the acceptable price range. We were blown away by each of these mobility aids, so we’re excited to share these with you, too.
Elenker Economy Knee Walker Steerable Medical Scooter
Best Overall
This is another knee walker made by Elenker! This model is very similar to the other Elenker Knee Walker we’ve discussed, though this one is a little less pricy because it doesn’t include a basket.
All the other great features from the previous Elenker Knee Walker are included, which makes this the best choice overall out of our 3 alternatives. You can choose between a black or a blue and white knee walker.
- Material: Not available
- Price Range: $95-$115
- Warranty: Please contact the seller directly
- Best Feature: Smooth steering
- Care
To keep this Elenker Knee Walker clean, use a wet cloth or sponge and mild dish soap to clean all the surfaces. Use this to clean the wheels, too. You can spray with seat with a mild disinfectant every once in a while but be sure to wipe the disinfectant off immediately. Never leave parts of this knee walker soaking in water.
Pros
- This is made by a company known for their high-quality products
- The handlebars and wheels offer smooth steering
- This is the least expensive knee walker on the list
Cons
- This knee walker doesn’t come with any storage space
KneeRover PRO All Terrain Knee Scooter with Shock Absorber
Best Quality
This is a high-quality knee walker made by KneeRover, which is another well-respected brand. Though this is the priciest knee walker on the list, its shock absorption features make up for how expensive it is compared to the others.
This product comes in silver and has black wheels, handlebars, and a seat. Different from the other models, this knee walker has 3 wheels instead of 4.
- Material: Steel
- Price Range: $385-$415
- Warranty: 100% satisfaction guarantee warranty
- Best Feature: Shock absorption
Best Fit for
This knee walker is recommended for people who are between 5’9” and 6’8”. The handlebars and seat can be adjusted to best fit people of this height. It is 30.4 lbs, which is heavier than the Elenker Knee Walker. It can support up to 350 lbs.
Pros
- This knee walker’s frame is made from steel, making it very durable
- The shock absorption features help with the functionality of the product
- The tires are made to be able to handle bumpy terrain
Cons
- This is the most expensive knee walker on the list
RINKMO Knee Scooter
Best Design
This is a stylish knee walker that comes in white and blue. It only weighs 22 pounds, so it is easy to carry and maneuver. The seat looks different from the other models but is still curved inwards to comfortably fit your knee. A basket in the front provides storage space. It is foldable to making storing this product easy.
- Material: Not available
- Price Range: $160-$180
- Warranty: Please contact seller directly
- Best Feature: Basket for storage space in the front
Care
You can buy parts for this knee walker online if something breaks. Replacement seats are available if your seat gets a tear or if the material is starting to crack.
Pros
- This knee walker has a basket for storage space
- The handlebars have breaks for stopping suddenly
- The seat is specially designed for your comfort
Cons
- The basket is smaller than the Elenker Knee Walker baskets
FAQs
In our next segment, we’ll answer your most frequently asked questions about knee walkers! For those who have never used this kind of mobility aid, they may look intimidating at first.
We’ll show you they don’t have to be! If you see we didn’t get around to your question in this next bit, please feel free to leave us a comment below with your question! We’ll comment back with an answer as soon as we can.
Answer: A knee walker should fit comfortably and be easy to maneuver. It should have handlebars and a seat that adjusts so you can keep your back straight as you walk. A quality knee walker should have a seat that is comfortable to rest your knee on.
Answer: Knee walkers are better than crutches in more than a few ways. For one, crutches put a lot of pressures on your arms and palms. Knee walkers take the strain off your body much better than crutches.
Answer: Knee walkers and knee scooters are the same thing! These 2 terms are interchangeable.
Answer: They’re actually fairly comfortable and designed to give the best long-term cushioning and support.
Answer: In some cases, yes. If you’ve got a work compensation claim, definitely. But it really depends on your insurance coverage.
Answer: They vary slightly by brand, but usually about 400lbs.
Answer: The front wheel(s) are attached to a pivoting chassis that allows the user to steer left and right.
Answer: You have options. Crutches are a common solution but can be hard to use. A knee scooter is a new product and works much more efficiently than crutches.
Answer: They all operate in the same basic way. But some have steering, while others only move forward and backward. Some models also have an added basket or some kind of storage.
Answer: I wouldn’t say better, but different. A knee scooter is best for those with leg or ankle injuries. A rollator walker can be sued for the same injuries, but are best used for people with more permanent mobility issues.
The Bottom Line
Do you feel like an expert on knee walkers? We’ve learned what knee walkers are and what features to look out for when you buy one. We gave you all the details about the Elenker Knee Walker and then gave you 3 more suggestions.
Did you have any more questions about Elenker Knee Walkers, or do you have a knee walker you’d like to offer advice about? Let us know in the comments! For even more great info about mobility aids, check out our guide to the best walking canes!
For more walking solutions, check the links below: