6 Best Hamster Wheels for Your Pet (Review & Buyer’s Guide)

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A while back, we got a call from a friend who owns a hamster. She said:

“My hamster rarely uses it’s wheel, what should I do?”

We want by the next day and the answer was immediately clear to us: The hamster wheel was simply too small. The Syrian was running with an arched back, which is painful and can lead to spinal injuries.

Instead, we purchased our number 1 pick below and now, Cookie the Hamster is enjoying life to the fullest.

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Best Hamster Wheels Top Picks at a Glance

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Don’t have time? Here is a quick comparison of our favorites!

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READ MORE: Why Do Hamsters Like to Run on Wheels?

So, What is the Best Hamster Wheels for Exercising?

#1 Silent Runner 9″ – Pet Exercise Wheel

After researching more than 20 hamster wheels, interviewing vets, and seeing hamsters run on the wheels we think the Silent Runner 9″ – Pet Exercise Wheel is the best hamster wheel for most people (and their pets).

Here are the five main reasons:

  • Large enough for both Syrian and dwarf hamsters (diameter of 9 inches)
  • It is not just a name – it is truly silent!
  • High-quality material
  • Sealed off and nowhere for your hamster to get stuck
  • Can be attached to a wire cage or stand-alone

If you are looking for a wheel that won’t keep you up at night and will let you sleep in peace, you’re looking at the right product.

This wheel has an innovative rolling-ball-bearing design that makes it run smoothly and silently. A lot of hamster owners have testified to that.

You will also be relieved to know that it is free from the center axle which is a cause of injury for our little critters most of the time.

The recommended size for a dwarf hamster is at least 6.5” while for large ones, the minimum is 8”.

Although this wheel is ideal for larger hamsters like the Syrian hamster, also known as “teddy bear”, smaller-sized hamsters can also give this wheel a shot.

You can purchase additional tracks to give your pet a variety of surfaces to run onto. These additional tracks will help the wheel to prevent slips and accidents. It will also be beneficial in keeping your pet’s nails neat.

Key Features
Measures 11″ tall (on stand) x 3″ wide (2.5″ wide track) x 9″ diameter
Can be attached to the cage for a better balance and to save floor space
Does not have the center axle that usually causes entanglement and injury
With a mechanism that allows the wheel to spin smoothly and quietly
Has a solid surface
Additional accessories are sold separately
Ideal for large and small sized hamsters

#2 Wodent Wheel 

Aside from Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner, the Wodent wheel is also one of the top picks when it comes to hamster wheels. It is ASCPCA-approved, it’s quiet, and comes with a stand made of steel so your pet won’t easily push it over.

Since this wheel is quite huge, Syrian hamsters can benefit most from it.

It is not recommended for small-sized hamsters such as robo, Russian dwarf hamsters, white, and the like. It may be too big for them and they may have a hard time running in this.

It is an enclosed wheel for your natural wall-hugger pet giving it the security from falling off the wheel, preventing unnecessary injuries. In addition, the middle axle is a large tube-like cylinder to prevent tangles.

If you are quite short in the budget for the Exotic Nutrition Silent Runner, this wheel is your next best option.

Measurements

  • Diameter – 11”
  • Width of running track – 3.5”
  • Height – 12.3”
  • Holes – 2.6”
Key Features
Recommended by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Doesn’t attach to the cage
With a stand made of heavy steel to prevent it from tipping over
Easy to clean
Recommended for large hamsters

#3 Pink Hamster Wheel, the Wodent Wheel ‘Jr.’

This wheel is almost the same as the Wodent wheel Sr. The few differences aside from its size are the holes. The holes of this wheel are rounder which makes it a little trickier to go in and out of it.

Also, since it is smaller in size, it also weighs lighter and may tip over. The key is to make sure that you give the correct sized wheel to your pet to prevent that from happening.

Speaking of size, dwarf hamsters can fit in this wheel just right as well as large ones.

It is made from plastic – easy to assemble and clean. Just wipe or wash and you’re done.

One thing that we don’t like about this wheel is the center axle. It can cause severe injury to your pet. You might feel anxious leaving your pet all night running in this.

Measurements

  • Diameter: 8in
  • Width: 2.6in
  • Height: 9.1in
Key Features
Has 5 round entry holes that measure 2.1inch each
Recommended by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Doesn’t attach to the cage
Ideal for both small and large hamsters

#4 Kaytee Comfort Wheel Large

Unlike the first three wheels, this one is an open-wheel. It doesn’t have walls to keep your pet enclosed inside it. The upside is, they will have much easier access to go in and out.

The downside, your hamster can slip and fall out of the wheel while running. Even though it is a solid track and has humps for a better grip, the plastic material might get slippery since it is not a textured track.

This wheel measures 8.5” and is best used by huge hamsters like the Syrian hamster. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, can also try this one out.

In terms of the noise, many hamster owners say that his wheel doesn’t really reduce it even with the “whisper quiet operation” label on it.

You might be able to save a few bucks purchasing this one but if safety and peace and quiet are your priority, this may not be the best choice.

Key Features
Comes in 3 sizes: Small (5.5”), Large (8.5”), and Giant (12”)
Can stand or be attached to the cage
Has a solid running surface
Without walls for easy access
Ideal for Syrian hamsters but can also be used by dwarf hamsters

#5 Kaytee Small Animal Silent Spinner Wheel Giant

This one is not an enclosed type of wheel as well. It has humps for a better grip while running. However, you should check them for any splinters.

Your pet will be running in here probably most of the night so, you have to make sure that nothing will hurt their feet.

It is also made from plastic which makes it slippery when wet. In addition, this wheel is ideal for small hamsters only.

It is too small for Syrian hamsters or other types of large breed hamsters and may not be good for their back.

What we like about this one is the center axle. It is a bolt-like axle and there is less tendency that your hamster’s pet will be entangled.  

If you are a first-time hamster owner, this one is a good beginner wheel. It can help you realize what features of a wheel you should look for in your next purchase.

Key Features
Comes in 4 sizes: Mini (4.5”), Regular (6.5”), Large (10”) and Giant (12”)
Can stand on the floor or be attached to the cage
Has a round-shaped center axle which is less dangerous than those long ones that cause tail entanglement
Ideal for dwarf hamsters only

#6 Kaytee Comfort Wheel

The minimum size recommended for small types of hamsters is 6.5”. This wheel is too small even for dwarf hamsters. Obviously, you should look at other options if you have larger breeds of hamsters.

You can choose whether to attach this wheel to the cage or just let it stand. Also, it is equipped with several humps for a better grip.

However, like all the other open wheels, there is a risk that your pet will slip and fall while running since they are too exposed. In addition, The center axle can be a cause for tail entanglement.

We do not recommend this wheel. It is too small and doesn’t really feel safe for our pets. For almost the same price, you can get better wheels than this one.

Key Features
Measures 5.5”  (Small)
Can stand on the floor or be attached to the cage
Has many humps for a better grip
Not ideal good for dwarf hamsters

CHECK: Best Hamster Balls

How to Choose the Best Hamster Wheel

Now, we have just given you the short answer regarding what hamster wheel to pick. However, if you want to venture on your own and find one, or just want to figure out how we know “what is best”, we have outlined our methodology below.

Hope you enjoy it – below is an overview of the topics and you can just click these links to be taken to our research.

  • Why you can’t have a hamster and not have a hamster wheel
  • Finding a hamster wheel that’s large and wide enough
  • How active the hamster is on its wheel
  • Finding a safe wheel for your hamster
  • Picking a wheel that can both stand-alone or hang on your cage
  • Finding a silent wheel for both humans and hamsters to enjoy

You can take a look at this video for more tips:

Why You Can’t Have a Hamster and Not Have a Hamster Wheel

You might know this already but if you don’t here’s the thing: Hamsters run – they run a lot and some hamsters run the equivalent of 4 human marathons per night!

This incredible level of activity means it’s absolutely critical to have a hamster wheel (where they can run their little marathons).

If not, your hamster will get stressed, restless and will plain simply not live the happy life you want it to have.

And if you think a hamster is not truly happy on its wheel, think again. Research has shown that even in nature, rodents will run on a wheel if given the choice because they simply enjoy the activity!

Finally, remember that you need as many wheels in a cage as there are hamsters. So if you have 2 hamsters in a cage, you need 2 wheels.

READ MORE: How Do I Get My Hamster to Run on His Wheel?

Large Hamster Wheel: Finding a Hamster Wheel That’s Large & Wide Enough

When buying a hamster wheel, you need to make sure it’s both large enough (measured by diameter) and wide enough (measured by the width of the wheel).

This is to ensure your hamster doesn’t run with an arched back. Running with an arched back is less enjoyable for your hammy. Further, it will likely lead to back problems for your hamster.

That’s why you should get a wheel that’s large enough and it has been a key criterion in our research.

For a dwarf hamster, a 6-7 inch wheel is sufficient while an 8-9 inch is sufficient for all but the largest Syrian Hamsters.

Finally, some wheels are simply not wide enough for a hamster to run on. This often happens, when the same wheels are sold for both mice and hamsters – mice are significantly narrower across the shoulders and can thus make do with a narrower wheel.

A Silent Hamster Wheel for Both Humans and Hamsters to Enjoy

As mentioned hamsters run, and they run a lot. That is why it can be very stressful for the hamster owners if the wheel is squeaky or makes monotone sounds when your hamster uses it.

That is why it is very important to select a wheel that’s silent.

Also, it’s worth remembering that hamsters also have a very keen sense of hearing, so they will enjoy a silent wheel as much as its owners will.

How Far Can Hamsters Run?

You can just ask a hamster: “Do you like this wheel?”

Instead, we have to make do with the next best thing, which is observing how much it uses its wheel. Of course, this requires a bit more observation, but it is key in figuring out whether the hamster likes the surface and feel of the wheel.

Finding a Safe Wheel For Your Hamster

There are many ways for a hamster to hurt itself on a wheel. Some of these include getting tangled up or hurting its spine on a rung in the middle.

Further, it can also hurt its small feet if the surface is too rough and it can also hurt itself by falling out of the wheel – especially if it’s a little bit elevated.

a hamster trying to jump out from the wheel, best hamster wheel

Finally, having sharp edges in the stand of the wheel means the hamster can injure itself even when not using it.

All these things point in the direction of having a plastic wheel, as most of these ills are usually not present in a plastic wheel.

Picking a Wheel That Can Stand Alone or Hang on Your Cage

Finally, while not a key criteria, we have also recommended wheels that have the ability to both:

  • Standalone
  • Hang on your cage

While there is no right and wrong and both options are good, you probably have a preference for one or the other. Depending on your layout or the number of hamsters in your cage, you will also have more “interior design decoration” options if your wheels can do both.

Both wheels we recommend have this ability.

Summing up: The Best Hamster Wheel is…

… which all brings us back to where we started.

Our top-rated pick for a hamster wheel is the Silent Runner 9″ – Pet Exercise Wheel and our budget pick is the Kaytee Comfort Exercise Wheel, 8.5″, Large.

a hamster sit on one of the best hamster wheels

Did you find the best wheel for your hamster? Which one is your favorite? Please share with us below!

Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts

My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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