I currently use the size M/10” for my larger robo, Steven (40g), and the size S/8” for my smaller robo, Sofia (25g). Both push it and run on it without any trouble or accidents. I suggest size S/8” for small robos (20-25g), M/10” for a Campbell’s, winter white or larger robo (40-60g) and 12” for a Syrian or Chinese hamster. Hamsters also take time to learn how to use a wheel, since using a wheel is not something they would do in nature. A young hamster may flip on their wheel as they are trying to learn- this is normal, although it is preferred if it can be avoided as big falls can cause injury to your hamster. If your hamster is flipping a lot I suggest the following solutions: The Prevue Quiet Wheel has some definite pros- including it’s wide running area that’s very light and easy to push. This wheel would be good for a hamster at any age and strength! It can become squeaky after being used a few times, although it is easy to fix by lubricating the axel.

Pros: May be good for attaching to a wire cage. Comes in a few sizes that are good for dwarf and Roborovski hamsters. Lightweight and easy for any size or age hamster to push. Comes in clear or mostly neutral coloring. The 12” Giant size has a much wider running area in addition to a wider base stand. I have never tried the Giant size but I imagine it would have helped reduce some of the falls and flips. True to it’s name, it’s very quiet! It’s smooth and easy to push. The stand is adjustable so you can put it on the floor of your hamster cage and then pile bedding on top (or just customize it to your hamster’s height). It comes in a wide range of colors AND sizes so you should be able to find a size and color that’s appropriate for you and your hamster.

Pros: Widely available in pet stores, easily attaches to a wire cage, easy to clean, fairly quiet, comes in larger sizes, lightweight and easy to push for older or younger hamsters. These wheels work well on their base and also work well when attached to a cage. Ensure you buy the additional cage attachment kit if you plan on using this wheel for a cage set up.

Cons: Cork lined version can take longer to dry after washing, you may need to replace the cork once in a while. Pros: Super Silent! Wide, flat running space. Comes in many colors & sizes appropriate for all types of hamsters. Adjustable base. Sturdy, heavy base stays in place while your hamster runs. Solid hamster wheels: These are the safest and most common hamster wheels that come in a variety of different colors and sizes with a flat running surface. The second concern about your hamster flying off is a legitimate concern. Some hamsters seem to be well equipped to use this saucer without risk, others are not. I don’t give this saucer to my hyper-speed robo, Steven, anymore, since he has no control over himself on it. But my other robo, Sofia, does great on it and I’ve never seen her fall.The Niteangel Super-Silent Hamster Exercise Wheel is the best overall hamster wheel we have reviewed in this article. Exercise saucers are a bit controversial and in some countries are not considered appropriate for hamsters. There are two main concerns about these saucers: When it comes to a hamster wheel with the best size look no further than the Wodent Wheel Senior and Tail Shield Running Wheel. Many people like cork linings because they are more gentle on their hamster’s feet. Cork linings can be more difficult to do thorough cleans of but it is not impossible! I wash with soap and water and let dry. I replace the cork lining as needed (and thankfully, Niteangel does sell cork replacements!) Pros: inexpensive, easy to clean, widely available, a great addition to a play area or sand bath, hamsters seem to actually enjoy using these!

There are a lot of unsafe wheels out there. Generally speaking, you’ll want a wheel with a wide, flat running surface without holes, mesh, bars or large tread. Hamsters run very fast and any hole or large tread can cause an injury your hamster might not be able to survive. The wheel is a classic favorite amongst hamster owners for its affordability and quality. It has been specially designed to be quite silent when a hamster runs on it, but the wheel does start to get squeaky after it has been run on over time by hamsters, but the sound can easily be fixed by oiling the turning axel with a natural lubricant like coconut oil. Acrylic wheels can be a bit heavy I wouldn’t recommend them for robos or small dwarves. Bigger Dwarves and larger hamsters seem to do fine on acrylic wheels. I no longer use the Kaytee Silent Spinner as I have found other wheels that my hamsters seem to prefer. However, this might be a good option for those of you with barred cages or limited access to other wheels. This wheel is made by a hedgehog breeder in North Carolina (hence the name) and is popularly used amongst Syrian hamster owners. The wheel is quite wide and very quiet. It has a very wide and stable base and is made from all plastic for easy cleaning (no worries about getting bearings wet and rusting).

The Best Hamster Wheels for All Sizes FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Upgrade to a bigger wheel. If your hamster stops running suddenly or trips the distance to the top of the wheel is longer on a bigger wheel- this means they are less likely to have dramatic falls on a big wheel. I had to upgrade my very energetic robo hamster, Steven, to a 12” Silent Runner wheel to prevent him from continuing to fall on his wheel. He now uses both a 10” and a 12” wheel without issue (but sometimes flips on 8” wheels). Size: The Prevue Quiet Wheel comes in three sizes, Small (6”), Medium (8”) and Large (9.5”). I would only recommend the size Medium /8” for small robos and the size Large / 9 .5” for larger robos, Campbell’s or winter whites (but not for any Syrians, possibly a bit small for a Chinese hamster). Size small (6”) is too small for any type of hamster (and most rodents for that matter). Hamster wheels should not have a diameter of less than eight inches. However, larger hamsters such as Syrian hamsters should have a bigger wheel of at least 11 inches diameter. When choosing the best wheel for your hamster there are three factors you need to consider which include the size, material, and safety. Here is how to consider the best wheel for your hamster according to each of these factors: Size My belief is that if you use common sense with this wheel it can be safely used, just watch out for curved spines or flying hamsters!