Hamsters may be little but in the wild, they travel large distances often running for miles. Therefore, as responsible pet owners, we need to make sure that our hamsters have the opportunity to burn off any excess energy. The simplest way to do this is to invest in a good hamster wheel as it provides plenty of exercis usuallye and entertainment too.
A hamster wheel is a must for any cage, but you need to consider the size and growth potential of your hamster, what time they are likely to be most active and how easy it is to clean. Below we give our guide to the 8 best hamster wheels available.
- Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner
- Suncoast Sugar Glider Wodent wheel
- Ware Flying Saucer Hamster Wheel
- Kaytee CritterTrail Snap-On Comfort Wheel
- Kaytee Comfort Wheel Giant 12 Inches
- JEMPET Hamster Silent Running Exercise Wheel
- Prevue Pet Products Quiet Wheels
- Kaytee Comfort Wheel Large 8.5 Inches
Things to consider when buying a hamster wheel
There are several factors to consider when choosing a hamster wheel.
Firstly, you need to get the right size wheel for your hamster. It is really important that you buy your hamster the correct wheel for their current and potential size so that your hamster always runs with a straight spine. Running with an arched back can cause problems in the future, such as curvature of the spine. Most cages come with a built-in wheel of approx. 5”. These wheels are way too small, even for dwarf hamsters, especially as your hamster grows. In order to know more about how big should a hamster wheel be, then read our informative blog.
Secondly, you need to consider when your hamster is most active. Most hamsters prefer to run around at night and therefore you may prefer a wheel that is quiet so that you can enjoy a peaceful sleep.
Thirdly, remember to consider how easy the wheel will be to clean. Hamsters can be messy, and a fiddly wheel will make the whole cleaning of the cage take twice as long.
Finally, you should think about the material of the wheel itself. Most hamster wheels are available in either plastic, wood or metal, but we would only advise buying a plastic or wooden one. Metal might be a stronger material; however, most wheels are made of mesh or bars which can be dangerous for your hamster. Your furry friend has fragile legs and toes and if they fall through the gaps or get caught end up beingtween the rungs then they could get injured. Long term running on this type of material can also cause bumble foot, which are painful abscesses that develop on the bottom of your feet. Plastic wheels are much safer as they are produced from one solid piece of plastic, so there are no gaps.
Having taken all of the above into consideration, we have reviewed the most popular hamster wheels that are currently available to buy, along with answering any ‘wheely’ hard questions you may have.
Our guide to the best hamster wheels
Hamster wheels come in various sizes and designs, but ideally, you want a wheel that keeps them slim, trim, safe and healthy!
We love this hamster wheel as it is durable yet incredibly roomy, providing your hamster with plenty of space to stretch out and run. And whilst we all want our hamsters to keep fit, there is nothing worse than a squeaky wheel.
What is great about the Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner is that it truly does not make a sound. It also features a non-slip textured running track which allows your hamster to patter away without the risk of a potential injury. It also has the added advantage of filing your hamster’s nails in the process.
This free-standing wheel does not contain a centre axle, which allows your hamster to run with a flat back, reducing the risk of spinal injury. It is semi-enclosed with bean-shaped openings, so your hamster will be safely cosseted inside. The Suncoast Sugar Glider Wodent Wheel has a built-in patented Nail-O-Matic™, that files them for you.
Ok, so this may be a bit of a cheat as we have already reviewed this wheel for Syrian hamsters, but we just couldn’t resist giving it another mention - especially if you have a dwarf hamster.
We have always had an issue with keeping our hamster’s nails short, but with this wheel, you do not need to worry about trimming them. Available in several sizes the Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner is a good choice for all hamster breeds.
This freestanding wheel offers a flatter running surface for your hamster. The Ware is our pick of the flying saucers and we like it as it can be purchased in a choice of sizes and colors.
This wheel is great if you keep more than one dwarf hamster together in a cage as they can accommodate multiple runners. It also has a solid running surface to help keep your hamsters’ feet safe and secure from harm and is incredibly easy to clean.
Although this wheel is relatively quiet, we've found that the ones we purchased did start to squeak after some regular use, so you may need to oil it from time to time.
Although this wheel is fun and colorful, we'd not recommend it as the main exercise wheel for the hamster - especially Syrians due to their size. Instead, this should only ever form part of an entertainment system for your hamster and a larger free-standing wheel will need to be installed.
What is great about the Kaytee CritterTrail Snap-On Comfort wheel is that it is excellent for your hamster to hop in and out of, is economical with regards to space and it is easy and quick to install when used in conjunction with Critter Trail cage systems.
The wheel itself is fully enclosed for your hamster’s safety plus it is sturdy and relatively quiet when your hamster is running at full pelt.
Syrian or teddy bear hamsters as they are otherwise known, are usually one of the largest hamster breeds, coming in at almost double the size of a dwarf hamster. Female Syrian hamsters are generally larger than the males, but both genders are extremely solitary and territorial so will need to be kept on their own from around five weeks old. Averaging between 6-7” in size, they need a large wheel of between 8-12” which makes the Kaytee Comfort Giant Wheel perfect.
What is great about this wheel is that depending on the space available within the cage, it can be placed either free-standing or can be attached to the wire bars. They feature a tail-safe design, and are good for long-haired Syrian hamster, since it does not have any spindles.
This wheel also has easy access which makes entering and exiting a breeze, particularly if your hamster is slightly older and finds it difficult to maneuver around.
Roborovskis are the smallest of the dwarf hamsters, growing to just 2” in proportions so can easily enjoy running around in a 6” hamster wheel. There are no noticeable differences between male and female Roborvoskis either, so this hamster steering wheel size is perfect for both male and females.
The JEMPET Hamster Silent Running Exercise Wheel is made from natural wood so is stylish and versatile, doubling as an exercise and chew toy for your hamster (so is good for keeping their teeth in check). Plus you will find a safety stand and enclosed back which prevents your hamster from getting stuck.
The running surface is constructed of oak bark so is soft on your hamsters feet and greatly reduces the risk of injury.
Chinese hamsters are not dwarf hamsters and although they do look of similar size, they tend to grow to around 4”. Therefore, Chinese hamster wheels need to be a minimum of 8” in size.
The Prevue Wheel can be affixed directly to your hamsters habitat or used with a stand depending on your personal needs. The wheel itself is a simplistic yet modern design and could be disassembled for easy cleaning.
One of the biggest pros to this wheel is that it is super quiet which means that your Chinese hamster can exercise for hours without you even knowing it!
This spacious wheel is not only great for your hamster’s spine but includes a wall to wall tail shield that completely covers the axle preventing any potential tail injuries.
The 8.5” wheel is a great size for Winter Whites and Campbell hamsters, because they do require a slightly larger hamster wheel of between 6”-8”, as they can grow up to 4” themselves. Although dwarf hamsters can share cages, it is recommended that you provide them with a wheel each - even if they prefer running together.
For more information on this wheel and the pros and cons of its design, see our review of the Kaytee Comfort Exercise Wheel Giant 12” for a full breakdown of features.
Conclusion
A hamster wheel will bring your furry friend so much joy. On top of the mental and physical advantages that many of these exercise wheels offer, there are health benefits too. From filing their nails to keeping their teeth in balance and their weight down, your hamster can enjoy hours of fun working out in the night.