Best Yoga Wheel Reviews 2020

Yoga wheels can be found for as low as $19 and up to $120—wide range, huh? Well, a number of factors such as brand, production process, and the wheel’s features can be responsible for that. For instance, some brands have already established a niche for themselves as makers of yoga wheels and have important factors such as economics of scale already figured out. Such brands usually have lower prices than other brands that are just starting out.

One thing is for sure: a yoga wheel must be strong so that it doesn’t break during use and so it gets to last a long time. This is something serious manufacturers know and adhere to so that whether they’ve been in the game for a while or are only new entrants, they produce only the best-quality wheels. Cheap yoga wheels, on the other hand, may not have such qualities and so we don’t recommend them.

At first glance, all yoga wheels look like they’re the same thing: a circular thingy that you lay on to do yoga. If you go into the market with only this information, we shudder to imagine what you’d end up with. In order to avoid such pictures from ever forming, we’ve listed some of the important things you should have at the back of your mind when you’re yoga wheel shopping:

• Size
• Design
• Type
• Material
• Color(s)
• Care
• Extras

Type

We have two types of yoga wheels, and the difference is in the material they’re made with. There are the wooden yoga wheels and the plastic yoga wheels. The wooden wheels were the first to be introduced and are still available today, but are more expensive and quite intricate. The plastic wheels actually came onboard as a way to avoid these issues. They’re more popular and are a lot easier to produce, not to mention sturdier and more affordable.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) are the materials used in making the wheel’s inner core. They’re molded into a tough, strong state that’s impact-resistant and will not break. The outer lining or padding is made from a foam material; TPE is the most popular material. It is a closed-cell foam, the same material used in making yoga mats, and doesn’t absorb sweat or body oils making it impossible for bacteria to build up. It’s also easy to clean.

Design

Yoga wheels are perfect circles, so if what you’re looking at is the slightest bit spherical, ovoid, or in any way elliptical, run. Yup, it’s as serious as that; it’s called a wheel for a reason. Yoga may have its fun and simple aspects, but it has far-reaching implications on your health and you have to be deliberate about it. One small out-of-place twist or bend could result in painful consequences. The diameter of the circle is important and has to be consistent at all points of the wheel as it determines how far you’ll have to bend as well as how stable the wheel will be. So, imagine doing a fish pose with a poorly-shaped wheel; not only will your back and spine not get a deep enough stretch, you may end up sore in places you shouldn’t.

Size

This brings us to the size of the wheel; most yoga wheels have a 12-inch diameter, though they can be larger or smaller. The larger wheels provide the room you need to stretch out more and go deeper in your stretches. That’s because they’re taller and stand farther from the ground so you’ll have to stretch more than you would with other sizes. The 14-inch diameter are great options for this; they’re recommended for folks 6 feet and taller—picture basketball players.

The 12-inch wheel is the most popular size, and it’s kind of like the standard yoga wheel. It can be incorporated into a variety of yoga routines including balancing, stretching (this one goes without saying), twisting, as in the spine twist, etc. They’re recommended for those of us who aren’t as tall as those in the first group.

Then there is the mini/micro wheel; this one has a 6-inch diameter. It’s great for kids and folks who are vertically challenged. It can also be used as a massage roller and other purposes too.

The thing to note about size is this: the wider the diameter, the deeper the stretches you’ll get will be, the more opened-up your chest, shoulders, and hips will be, and more flexibility will be required and achieved.

Extras

Some things may not seem important at first, but they are and we wouldn’t want you to discover that when it’s too late; we’ll call them extras, things such as weight, “grip-ability”, etc. If you’re going to be on the move often, a lightweight wheel that you can easily move from point A to B without breaking a sweat is what we recommend. You should also consider the mini/micro yoga wheels as they’re small enough to fit into backpacks and travel luggage. They usually have a 5-inch width and that’s the same as its bigger counterparts, so you’ll get the same benefits of stretching your shoulders and releasing your myofacia.

Material and Care

Ensure that the padding on the wheel is thick enough to provide all the comfort you’ll need to enjoy and endure your sessions. The material is usually the same as the ones used to make gym mats; PVC and TPE seem to be manufacturers’ favorites. Both are durable, lightweight, and inexpensive. PVC is open-cell foam and may absorb sweat which increases its “grip-ability” but will need disinfecting once in a while. TPE is eco-friendly and has closed-cell technology which is basically the opposite of open-cell and is easier to clean.

The padding on the yoga wheel should be designed in a way that it creates traction between the wheel and whatever surface it comes in contact with. This will prevent the wheel from accidental drops and slips during yoga sessions.

Color(s)

Yoga wheels are in a variety of colors and patterns. You won’t have to worry about not finding one that’s as outspoken as your personality or as understated as your class.