12 Best Ab Rollers for Home Workouts in 2023
If you’re fed up with doing sit-ups and crunches, ab rollers are an effective alternative. They improve your strength and stability by forcing you to move through a full range of motion to activate your deep core muscles.
Because there are so many ab roller products on the market, it can be tough to find the best one for your needs and preferences. That’s why we’ve created a list of the 12 best ab rollers from a range of top fitness brands.
The 12 best ab rollers are:
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Featured Products
12 Best Ab Rollers
1. Prosource Fit Ab Wheel Roller – Best Overall Ab Roller
Rating: 5/5
Pros
- Non-slip rubber 4.25-inch handles for easy grip
- Easy to assemble
- Comfortable and smooth to use
Cons
- You might want a more premium option
I’ve labeled the Prosource Fit Ab Wheel Roller as the best ab roller overall. I could find very few downsides, aside from the fact that you might want to splash the cash on a more expensive option if you’ve got the budget.
However, you won’t be disappointed with this ab roller from Prosource Fit. It’s got comfortable handles that have a thick rubber coating for a strong grip during your ab rollouts. The 2-inch thick wheel moves smoothly along the floor and provides a great level of stability, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter.
2. REP Fitness Ab Roller – Best Budget Ab Wheel
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Inexpensive and perfect if you’re working out on a budget
- Lightweight and portable
- Made out of high-quality, durable materials
Cons
- Shorter than average handles
The REP Fitness Ab Roller does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It can be used to target your abdominals and strengthen your core muscles. Because this ab wheel is very inexpensive, it’s the best for those working out on a budget.
It’s a lightweight product that you’ll easily be able to transport to and from the gym, the park, or your backyard, depending on where you like to exercise. It’s simple to assemble, with two handles that smoothly slot into place on either side of the wheel, so you shouldn’t struggle to set it up for your core workouts.
This ab wheel has a handle length of 3.75 inches, which is a little shorter than the average of around 5.7 inches, so it may not be ideal for those with larger hands. Although the product is durable and high quality, it won’t be the most premium option on the market. However, this is to be expected with its very low price.
3. Rogue Fitness Ab Wheel – Best Premium Ab Roller
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Durable rubber treads that are suitable for use on rough terrains
- Great for advanced lifters and athletes due to the rounded edges of the wheel
- Sealed bearings that enable the wheel to rotate smoothly
Cons
- Premium price
If you’re willing to spend more on a top-quality ab roller, this product by Rogue Fitness should definitely be on your radar. The Rogue Fitness Ab Wheel is not cheap, but it gets first place for being the best premium option on the market because it’s a high-quality, durable product.
The wheel has a nickel-plated steel shaft and thick rubber treads that will grip most surfaces. The sealed bearings enable the wheel to rotate seamlessly, and the wheel’s rounded edges make ab rollouts a little more challenging, even for top-level athletes. With 1.25-inch rubber handles, the wheel is easy to grip, and this ab roller will make a great addition to your home gym.
4. Fitnessery Ab Roller – Best Ab Roller for Beginners
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Comes with a knee pad and two eBooks
- Compact and easy to store
- Made out of tough stainless steel and thick rubber
Cons
- Rollout is not the smoothest
The Fitnessery Ab Roller is the best ab roller wheel for beginners. It’s thicker than most other wheels on the market and has comfortable handles that enable you to get a strong grip on the roller. Alongside the ab roller, you get a free knee pad, a six-pack abs nutrition eBook, and an ab workout eBook that introduces you to core training and the importance of nutrition as a new lifter.
Although this wheel doesn’t have the smoothest rotation, it’s a great option for those looking for a basic but durable ab roller wheel for your home workouts.
5. Vinsguir Ab Roller – Best Wide Ab Wheel
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Wider wheel, which increases stability for beginners
- Comes with a foam knee pad
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Narrow space between the handles, which could be uncomfortable for some lifters
The Vinsguir Ab Roller is 3.2 inches wide, which increases stability and makes the exercise easier. Therefore, it’s the best wide abdominal wheel for those who want extra support when building up their core strength.
The foam knee pad included with the ab wheel protects your knees during the exercise, so you can work on your core strength inside or outside.
The stainless steel handles are coated in EVA rubber, which enhances your grip strength and enables you to focus solely on the exercise. However, the handles are quite narrow due to the thinner wheel in the center, which could be uncomfortable for some.
If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your core in addition to doing ab rollouts, planks are an excellent abdominal exercise.
6. Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller Wheel – Best Ab Roller for Comfort
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Wide tread for increased stability
- Comes with a soft foam knee pad for comfort
- Ergonomic handles to reduce wrist pain
Cons
- Inner coil may be noisy during use
Thanks to the extra-wide wheel tread, the Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller Wheel offers a high level of stability and sturdiness. It can withstand a total weight of 300 lbs. Although it is quite bulky and weighs around 4.5 lbs, it’s a great choice to keep in your home gym.
This is one of the best ab rollers for comfort because it has curved ergonomic handles that reduce strain on the wrist joints and enable you to enjoy pain-free and injury-free core workouts. The ab roller wheel also comes with a foam knee pad that you can use to protect your kneecaps from the hard floor during your sets.
Based on my personal opinion and a lot of abs roller wheel reviews for this product, the main downside is that the inner carbon steel spring coil in the wheel can be noisy when you’re rolling the wheel along the floor.
Also, the coil also has a limited range of motion, so taller lifters might not be able to perform the exercise to full extension.
7. Lifeline Power Wheel – Best Ab Roller for Versatility
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Wide, supportive handles
- Smooth rotation of the wheels
- Has foot stirrups
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- Not easily portable
The Lifeline Power Wheel is the best core roller for versatility. It comes with foot stirrups that sit at either side of the wheel and enable you to perform additional core exercises, such as leg curls and knee tucks. The ab wheel has wide handles for a more natural grip and better spinal alignment, even for those with larger hands.
The extra-wide wheel treads move smoothly over rough terrains, so you can use this ab roller outside in your driveway or in the park and achieve a wide range of motion.
The downsides to this product are that it’s bulky and difficult to transport, and the assembling process can be fiddly. According to the ab wheel reviews for this product, it wasn’t just me who thought this, either! A lot of people wished this product came pre-assembled.
To add even more versatility to your core training, check out our favorite landmine core exercises.
8. GoFit Super Ab Wheel – Best Lightweight Ab Wheel
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Extra-wide wheel size for increased support
- Easy to grip onto the sturdy handles
Cons
- May show scuff marks quite easily
Weighing just 0.97 lbs (0.44 kg) and measuring 7 inches in diameter and 13 inches in length, the GoFit Super Ab Wheel is one of the best abs wheels for transportation. It’s lightweight and easy to store in your gym bag for core workouts in any location.
It’s got a thick rubber tread wheel that provides support and stability during your core workouts. The ergonomic, widely-spaced handles have a non-slip coating that minimizes the risk of injuries and muscle strains.
The only complaint I have is this ab roller’s tendency to show scuff marks quite easily, especially when the product is used outdoors on rough surfaces. A lot of the ab roller reviews online also confirmed these findings. However, scuff marks shouldn’t impact the product’s functionality or the effectiveness of your core workouts.
9. Harison Ab Roller Wheel – Best Multi-Functional Ab Roller
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Multi-functional product with push-up bars, pull-up ropes, and knee pads
- High maximum weight capacity of 600 lbs
- Ideal for people of all fitness levels
Cons
- May show signs of wear and tear more quickly than other products
If you’re looking for the best ab wheel that enables you to work more than just your core muscles, the Harison Ab Roller Wheel won’t let you down. This product is more than a simple ab wheel. It comes with two push-up bars and pull-up ropes so you can perform a range of upper body exercises, like push-ups, upright rows, front raises, and lateral raises.
It has an ergonomic design that makes it easy to achieve good form, no matter which exercises you’re performing. The wheel is wide, so you can achieve maximum stability during your workouts, even if you’re a beginner lifter with low core strength.
The downside to this ab roller wheel is that it may start to show signs of wear and tear over time, especially if you’re using it outside on concrete or stones that could scratch the wheel. To minimize damage to the product, I suggest using it indoors on a smooth surface.
10. EnterSports Ab Rollers Wheel Kit – Best Ab Roller for Easy Assembly
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Wheel moves smoothly along most surfaces
- Comes with push-up bars and resistance bands
Cons
- Some quality control issues
The EnterSports Ab Rollers Wheel Kit has a stainless steel center with a hard plastic coating that is available in black or red. The wheel is 3.2 inches in diameter, which is wide enough to provide lots of stabilization for beginners. It comes with two push-up bars and two resistance bands that you can hook over the handles of the ab wheel and around your feet to add extra resistance.
The assembly process is simple. All you need to do is carefully push the handles onto the wheel, and they should remain in place until you manually remove them.
Although I personally didn’t have any major issues with this product, many of the ab wheel reviews on Amazon stated that it broke after a few uses or that the material felt cheap. It’s one of the cheapest ab rollers on the market, so I wouldn’t expect anything premium, anyway.
11. n1keft Ab Wheel Roller – Most Sturdy Ab Roller Wheel
Rating: 4/5
Pros
- Double-wheeled for extra support and stability
- Comes with door anchor, ankle straps, and knee cushion
- High maximum weight capacity of 500 lbs
Cons
- The wheel might squeak when in use
The n1keft Ab Wheel Roller is the best double-wheeled ab roller on the market, with a width of 4.75 inches. This extra-wide width provides a higher level of support and stability for those with a weaker core. It’s also available as a single-wheeled roller in black or red if you want a more challenging core workout.
This multi-functional ab roller comes with ankle straps, a door anchor, and a soft cushion for your knees, so you can enjoy varied and pain-free workouts. Although it moves smoothly along the floor, it can be noisy at times, with the wheel squeaking or rattling slightly. However, this shouldn’t impact your ability to use the wheel or the effectiveness of your core workouts.
12. Readeer Metal Handle Ab Roller Wheel – Most Aesthetically-Pleasing Ab Wheel
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros
- Sleek black and red appearance
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Double wheel for increased stability
Cons
- May not be the most comfortable
The Readeer Metal Handle Ab Roller Wheel is one of the most aesthetically pleasing ab wheels you’ll find, with an eye-catching black and red design. However, I know that aesthetics aren’t the only important factor when it comes to finding a great abdominal roller!
Not only does this product look great, but it’s also highly durable and sturdy. Thanks to its double-wheel design, it offers a higher level of support and stability, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced lifter. It’s easy to assemble and great value for money.
The straight metal handles might not be the most comfortable for everybody, as they aren’t ergonomically friendly. You might find that they are great for your hands and wrists, but I noticed that a few of the ab roller reviews for this Readeer product complained about the comfort of the handles.
Why You Should Trust PowerliftingTechnique
Here at PowerliftingTechnique, we are a team of powerlifting coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and fitness industry veterans with decades of collective experience in the industry. We have worked with athletes at the highest levels and have also spent years training and competing ourselves.
How We Chose the Best Ab Rollers
We have combined our professional experience and personal opinions to create accurate and reliable fitness product reviews. We’ve tested ab rollers from a wide range of brands and compared them to each other based on certain criteria, so we know exactly which ones are trustworthy and worth your money.
In particular, we focused on factors such as price, construction, performance, and ease of use to find out which products would be the most suitable for the majority of people.
Buying Guide: What To Look for in an Ab Roller
When buying an ab roller, you need to make sure it meets your needs and aligns with your fitness goals. Therefore, you should consider a few different factors to make sure the ab roller that you buy meets your expectations and enables you to make significant progress.
Here are some important factors to consider when searching for the best ab roller:
- Shape
- Size
- Price
- Construction
- Your workout style
- Your current fitness level
Shape
In general, all ab rollers share a similar shape. However, there are slight variations to be aware of when buying the best ab roller for your home gym. Some ab rollers have a flatter shape, while others are a true circular shape.
The latter requires you to have a higher level of core strength to stabilize your body as you move the wheel back and forth. The former is a better option if you’re a beginner or you have weak core muscles because the flatter edges of the core roller increase your stability and make it easier to perform the movement.
Size
The size of an ab roller impacts how easy or difficult it is to use. A wider ab roller will offer more stability, making the exercise easier, while a narrower ab roller requires you to stabilize yourself more using your core muscles.
Price
Building a home gym isn’t cheap, and it’s important to consider the price of the equipment you’re buying to make sure you don’t overspend. Ab rollers can range in price from as little as $10 to more than $80. While the more expensive options aren’t necessarily better, it’s worth spending more on a higher-quality ab roller that will last you a while.
Construction
The durability and functionality of an ab roller depend largely on its construction and the materials used to produce it.
A roller for abs needs to comprise high-quality materials that are durable and sturdy enough to support most of your body weight without bending, cracking, or breaking. The ab roller handles should be made out of strong but comfortable materials that enable you to get a good grip on the wheel without damaging your skin.
Your Workout Style
Everybody’s workout styles and preferences are unique, and the best ab roller for you might not be the best for somebody else because of this.
If you want to start incorporating more core work into your routine, an ab roller will be a great addition to your home gym. But you need to make sure you find one that aligns with your preferred workout style.
If you plan on using an ab roller every day and prefer to exercise outside on rough concrete or pavement slabs, you’ll need an ab roller that is durable and stable enough for extensive use. For those who only plan on targeting your core very occasionally in your fitness regime, you can get away with a more budget-friendly ab roller that is less durable.
Your Current Fitness Level
Because some ab rollers are more difficult to use than others, you need to consider your current fitness levels before you make a purchase.
If you’re a beginner, you’re better going for an ab wheel that is larger in size and flatter. This will make the ab exercise easier and enable you to perform it with better form and technique.
For advanced lifters or athletes who are used to training and have already built up a decent level of core strength, a narrower, smoother ab roller may be more suitable to challenge the core muscles.
How To Use an Ab Roller
Using an ab roller seems pretty straightforward, and it is, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you’re using the correct form.
Here’s how to safely use an ab roller for maximum core strength gains and minimal risk of injury:
- Start the exercise by kneeling on a comfortable mat or carpet.
- Grip the ab roller using the handles on either side of the wheel with an overhand grip.
- With your arms straight, roll the wheel out in front of you, keeping your core tight and your spine in a slightly flexed position.
- Continue rolling the wheel out until your chest is almost touching the floor.
- Squeeze your core muscles to bring yourself back up to the starting position, keeping your arms straight throughout the entire movement.
If you find it too difficult to perform the above steps, try rolling the wheel out as far as you can comfortably go. Instead of rolling the wheel back in to return to a tall kneeling position, gently drop yourself to the ground and use your hands and legs to return to the starting position.
The more you practice using your ab roller using this technique, the stronger your core will become, and you will eventually be able to progress onto the full exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Muscles Do Ab Rollers Work?
The ab roller works your core muscles, particularly the rectus abdominis muscles on the front of your torso (the ones colloquially known as the ‘six-pack’). To a lesser extent, ab rollers also work the front deltoids, triceps, and glutes. It is a great hyperextension alternative.
How Effective Are Ab Rollers?
The ab roller is great for improving your core stability and strength and the aesthetic appearance of your six-pack. It also targets additional muscles in your body, such as your posterior core muscles, shoulders, triceps, and glutes, which is something that not all core exercises do.
However, it’s not the most functional core exercise, and the movement itself has very little carry-over to other exercises. Studies done by the American Council on Exercise showed that ab roller alternative core exercises, like bicycle crunches, stimulated a higher level of rectus abdominis and oblique muscle activation.
To get the most out of using an ab roller, combine it with other functional exercises that also target your core muscles. Include exercises like the bird-dog or single-arm rollout to work your core from multiple angles and on more than one plane to maximize the effectiveness of your ab training.
How Many Calories Does Using an Ab Roller Burn?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to the calories burnt during the ab roller exercise. It depends on your size, weight, and metabolic rate. The ab roller exercise is most effective for building core strength, stability, and muscle tone, as opposed to burning calories.
Is an Ab Roller Bad for the Back?
Any kind of exercise carries a risk of injury when performed incorrectly. If you use the ab roller wheel with poor form, you risk developing acute or chronic back pain or straining your back muscles. However, if you use correct form and build up your core strength slowly, the ab roller shouldn’t cause back problems.
Can an Ab Roller Get Me a Six-Pack?
No single exercise is responsible for getting you a six-pack. Achieving a six-pack requires you to follow a great diet, maintain a low body fat percentage, and train consistently. Ideally, your training program should include different core exercises and compound exercises that work your abs as secondary muscles.
Even if you follow the best training program and are on point with your diet, you may never have a well-defined six-pack due to your genetic composition. However, it’s still worth adding core exercises into your workout routine to improve your core strength and stability, as this will improve your performance in a range of other movements.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Ab Roller?
The best ab roller in 2023 is the Prosource Fit Ab Wheel Roller. This single-wheeled roller is a budget-friendly option that is made to the highest of standards.
The assembly process is simple, and the wheel glides smoothly along most surfaces. The handles are comfortable and supportive for your wrists, so there’s minimal risk of pain, strain, or injuries during your workouts.
If you’re searching for a double-wheeled ab roller that will provide a higher level of stability, I recommend going for the n1keft Ab Wheel Roller.
About The Author
Athina Crilley
Athina is a Biochemistry and Genetics graduate, and a qualified personal trainer with a passion for women’s health and fitness. She is passionate about helping women to learn more about the importance of the menstrual cycle and how to balance their hormones. She is the host and producer of Finding Flo podcast, which covers all things women’s health and hormones.
