The best knee scooters roll effortlessly on all types of terrain, allowing indoor and outdoor mobility for active people recovering from leg, foot, and ankle injuries. Our evaluation criteria focused on tire size, steering capabilities, weight capacity adjustable seating/handlebar height, and stability, with bonus points awarded for kneepad comfort and folding mechanism. Recovery is essential to your health wellness so we made sure to choose the absolute best knee scooters for this life.
After more than 15 hours of research, our top pick goes to the KneeRover Economy Knee Scooter. It delivers an impressive range of motion, all-terrain ability, and generous height and handlebar adjustment, equally useful for use indoors or outdoors for people of all shapes and sizes.
Top 5 Knee Scooters Compared
#1 KneeRover Economy Knee Scooter
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This knee scooter is extremely solid and durable, helping you thanks to four 7.5-inch rubber wheels and dual front and rear hand brakes. It is a great choice for anyone with diminished arm and leg strength, as it only weighs 21 pounds for glide-like maneuvering and stopping.
- Great for all heights
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Great balance and stability
- Great for indoor and outdoor use
- No detachable basket
- Looser turning radius
- Steeper learning curve to use
We were really impressed with this knee scooters locking hand brakes dual rear brake system, which is highly responsive even when traveling at higher speeds. Four 7.5-inch rubber wheels also work well on all types of terrain including indoors or outdoors,and even rocky terrain. It is a solid choice for folks who make frequent stops on errands, as opposed to longer uninterrupted trips.
Steering is rock solid, using a tie-rod steering mechanism that allows for greater control and flexibility. A contoured knee pad and rubber hand grips make this knee scooter feel cushy. It is equally comfortable for shorter or taller people thanks to its adjustable height handlebars.
#2 All Terrain KneeRover Steerable Knee Scooter
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: This all-terrain knee scooter is a dynamo on all surfaces (even off road), featuring 12-inch air-filled tires, and a wide knee pad for added comfort It is a solid choice for injured adventurer types, hikers, and active people who constantly trek in the outdoors.
- Air filled tires
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Tie-rod steering
- Poorly written instructions
- So-so steering radius
- Not as stable as four-wheel knee scooters
This knee scooter works well with all body types accommodating patients up to 6’6” with an adjustable knee height range between 18 and 21.5 inches. It also comes with a detachable storage basket to store smaller items. A quick-release mechanism folds the unit in less than five seconds, perfect for storage in small trunks and under beds.
We really love its agility thanks to its 12-inch pneumatic (air-filled) tires, which will allow you toglide through grass and gravel smoothly. Its 3-inch contoured knee platform limits pressure on the left or right knee, reducing muscle fatigue. And a locking hand brake also generates quick stops using light finger pressure, excellent for those with limited arm and hand strength. A separate push button parking brake keeps the scooter firmly in place when not in use.
#3 Elenker Steerable Knee Walker Deluxe Medical Scooter
Award: Best Quick Folding
WHY WE LIKE IT: This knee walker delivers exceptional value, featuring four 8-inch wheels, and a quick fold switch for fast and easy storage. It is excellent if you are an active individual running in and out of the house constantly, as its quick folding mechanism makes it easy to toss in a car.
- Very lightweight and easy to move
- Wide steering circle
- 300 pound weight capacity
- OK quality wheels
- So-so braking system
- Ideal for people with better balance (3 wheels)
We love this knee scooter’s comfort,which uses a memory foam knee pad to alleviate pressure. Its knee height range is between 17.5” to 22” and its handlebar height range is from 29.5” to 38”. This makes it suitable for most if not all body types
This walker’s ergonomic design uses rubber hand grips, with both handle brakes and rear disc brakes providing exceptional stopping power.Its four 8-inch PVC wheel works well on all terrain.Anyone with an injured leg, foot, or ankle should be able to maneuver easily.
#4 Vive Knee Walker Scooter
Award: Best for Tall People
WHY WE LIKE IT: This knee walker offers reliable support, featuring four 8-inch polyurethane wheels for excellent stability and an easy to adjust handlebar reaching up to 41.5” high. Its an great choice if you are taller than 6’0” handle bar.
- Dual rear brakes for very reliable stopping power
- Lifetime guarantee
- Comfortable kneepad
- No basket
- High cost
This knee walker’s platform can be set between 19 and 23.5 inches and its handlebars can be adjusted from 33.5 to 41.5 inches, allowing for better weight distribution on the handlebars for taller individuals without slouching. Dual rear brakes also allow for tighter stops on uneven terrain by applying greater pressure to the wheels.
With four 8-inch polyurethane wheels, it offers better stability than three-wheeled knee walkers for poorly balanced individuals. It also helps reduce fatigue on long excursions. Bonus points are awarded its two-point folding mechanism for easy storage and its lifetime brand promise.
#5 BodyMed Folding Knee Scooter
Award: Best on a Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This folding knee scooter offers reliable performance across the board, led by a generous 17 to 23” knee pad height, and a lightweight foldable design. It is an excellent choice for anyone on a budget, as it is the lowest cost knee scooter on our list.
- Great for large builds; 350-pound weight capacity
- Very lightweight
- Dual brake system
- No instruction manual
- Wider steering radius
- Handlebars not foldable
A comfortable knee pad has a height range of 17 to 23 inches, complemented by a 350-pound weight capacity for users of all heights and shapes. There is also a lockable braking system that keeps the knee scooter in place when you park it, similar to a car. And its folding design also makes it easy to store in car trunks and foyer closets.
Bonus points go to its included mesh basket and comfortable knee pad, which adheres to your knees contours for reduced fatigue. With its 4-wheel design, it is a solid option for those with poor balance.
How We Decided
Choosing the best knee scooter could mean the difference between a sedentary lifestyle recovering from injuries or an active one nearly identical to the one you left before your injury or surgery. If you’re not sold by any of these scooters, you might also want to take a look at the best wheel chair instead.
In determining the best knee scooter to buy, you should consider its wheel size/build, kneepad/handlebar adjustability, and steering angle. 4-plus inch air-filled wheels provide the best uneven terrain support, with height-adjustable knee pads and handlebars helping users maintain a straight posture to reduce back and arm fatigue. The best knee scooters will be fully adjustable. Steering angles should incorporate a minimum of a 50 degree turning radius for better turning in tight corners.
Weight capacity is very important, with most picks on our list accommodating 300 pounds or greater. Comfortable and contoured knee pads are a plus, helping reduce pressure during long walks. Three wheels also enable better turning, whereas four wheels provide enhanced stability for those with poor balance. Plus, the ideal choice of knee scooter that suits you may be one that has a comfortable ride both on indoor and outdoor surfaces so you can get your daily tasks done.
For additional support, you might want to consider purchasing a dual padded knee scooter, such as the Elenker Heavy Duty Knee Walker.
Other popular models that just missed our list include the Drive Medical Steerable Knee Scooter, the KneeRover Deluxe Knee Cycle, and the Drive Medical Dual Pad Knee Walker. The Drive Medical Dual offers a wire basket for storage and added convenience, and improved usability.
Pro tip: if your house has a threshold, you should check out our top pick for the best wheel chair ramp.
Best Knee Scooter Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Steering
To navigate tight corners, we recommend a steering radius between 30 and 50 degrees. Certain walkers have wheels working independently from the front axle, enabling tighter turning. This is a must for the indoors. Note larger wheels, like 12-inch pneumatic tires, generally have a bigger radius, so the rate of turn is going to be less generous. Many knee scooters have an adjustable handlebar to conform to your height for an easier steering experience.- A padded knee platform can provide more comfort when pushing off. Moreover, to use a knee scooter efficiently, you’ll need upper body strength and good core stability to keep your body weight balanced.
- Overall, this medical equipment would be an easier and more comfortable alternative to crutches in regards to maneuverability, plus it will elevate a foot injury like a broken foot after foot or ankle surgeries further off the ground for added safety in order to reduce more injuries.
- If you have a lower leg injury, knee scooters can be a good option as well.
- Knee scooters are not intended for users with knee injuries since the scooter has a knee rest design that will put pressure on your knee and can trigger some knee pain on your injury.
- Though keep in mind that knee scooters tend to have a higher price than traditional crutches. You may want to opt for crutches as your mobility aids if you need a more affordable price.
- Wheels
Larger wheels, particularly pneumatic tires, offer the best traction and absorption on rough terrains. Look for the best knee scooters with a minimum wheel size of 8 inches, which also helps provide better lateral balance and steering for easy maneuverability, especially around tight spaces. - All-Terrain Ability
If you are an active outdoors person, an orthopedic scooter with a wide range of terrain types will work best to tackle those uneven surfaces. The Kneerover and OasisSpace models are better capable of absorbing impact and gliding over uneven terrain with larger, pneumatic (air-filled) tires. Additionally, you may opt for three-wheel models over four-wheel models for tighter turning radiuses, assuming you have better balance. - Weight Capacity
Most knee scooters on our list have a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds of greater. Higher adjustable seating and higher weight capacities work better for adults. There are different types of knee scooters out there, like ones that can be used as a seat, ones with a contoured knee rest, a collapsible knee scooter, etc. - Knee pad material
Knee pad material is very important, alleviating knee pressure for extended periods. Our preferred option is a memory foam padded knee rest which conforms to your knee’s shape. Make sure to adjust the adjustable knee platform so it fits your leg properly. - Braking
Some medical knee scooters carry dual front, loop style hand brakes and others carry both dual front and rear brakes, which apply stopping pressure on all four wheels at once for greater stopping power. If you are constantly treading downhill and/or have limited arm strength, the latter is a helpful option.
