Your guide to tap, key, and knob turners

11 June 2024

Finding it increasingly difficult to do things like gripping and turning keys or taps? Don't worry, there are simple tools out there to help make it easier for you and take some of the struggle out of daily life.

Whether you’re looking for turning aids for the elderly or tap turners for the disabled, this guide is here to help outline the different tap, key, and knob turners so that you can see what might work for you.

Derby Tap Turners (Pair)

Making crosshead and crystal taps easier to turn, the Derby Tap Turner is an economical alternative to replacing taps. Quickly and easily fixed to most crosshead and crystal taps without the use of... ...

£28.79

What is a tap turner?

Taps with smooth sides and surfaces – especially when wet – can be hard to get a good grip on. Even more so if you have reduced grip or hand strength, tremors, or other conditions affecting your mobility. Tap turners are handy devices that fit over the top of your existing taps. They have an easier surface to grip and turn, making it much simpler to wash your hands, run a bath, or do the washing up. Our Derby Tap Turners (Pair) fit over crosshead and crystal style taps, and you don't need any tools to fit them either.

Turners made with plastic, like the Derby Tap Turners, are rust-proof and warmer to the touch, and if they have rubber on the handle too, they’re even easier to grip and turn even when wet.

Tap turners for arthritic hands are a brilliant way to make everyday life that little bit easier.

What is a knob turner?

Similar to tap turners, knob turners are designed to fit over things like the dials of your cooker, radiator, microwave, or doorknobs. Universal knob turners are great to keep on-hand to help you all around the house, fitting over all kinds of knobs and dials to give you extra leverage, grip, and control.

Knob turners can come with different handle styles, giving you options for what suits your needs best. For example, our Contour Knob Turner has a T-shaped handle that’s easy to grip securely and then twist. The Etac Universal Knob Turner has a large, angled handle that can give more leverage to turn knobs and dials with.

Universal knob turners are often suitable for both left- and right-handed use.

Contour Knob Turner

This Contour Knob Turner is designed to make turning those difficult to grip fiddly little knobs far easier and far less frustrating. Ideal for use on cooker knobs, gas fire controls, taps, radiators... ...

£10.49

VAT relief

NRS Healthcare Easy Grip Three Key Turner

This three key Easy Grip Key Turner is designed to hold three keys safely and securely, making them easier to use and control. The simple blue nylon shaped three key turner offers a generous curved... ...

£4.19

VAT relief

What is a key turner?

Fiddly keys can be a challenge if your grip isn't quite what it was. Getting a secure grip on such a small surface can be a real pain, so key turners have been designed to give you a bigger area to work with. Ideal for various conditions, key turners can be helpful for those with arthritis, the elderly, or with similar disabilities.

Key turners like our NRS Healthcare Easy Grip Three Key Turner hold your keys inside so they’re always with the turner when you need to use them. These key turners are great for arthritic hands as they have a full handle that gives you better control of the key, which are often shaped or contoured to make them more comfortable to hold.

You can also get key turners that attach to the tops of your keys individually, with wings or wide shapes that expand the top of the key’s area. These make it easier to apply the pressure for a twisting motion if you don’t need a full handle.

Other helpful tools

There are other products that can help with similar tasks, or go hand-in-hand with tap, key, and knob turners. If you need a turner, it’s likely that these other products may be able to help you too.

The Lockpal Door Key Guide attaches onto your locks to help guide your key directly into the keyhole, so you're not left scrabbling at your door lock. This tool is great for if you're living with a condition like tremors, vision loss, or mobility issues.

If you struggle to grip and twist, like turning dials or doorknobs, you may also find it hard to open jars and bottles. Products like the Universal Jar and Bottle Opener, with rubber grips and a comfortable handle, are great to keep on-hand in your home so that you can open things with ease.

A more slimline version of this type of tool is available, such as the Baby Boa Constrictor. This gives you extra grip for little jobs like holding, opening, or tightening jars and bottles.

You can browse our full range of kitchen aids for all sorts of useful gadgets and tools, or our daily living aids for handy products for all areas in the home and outdoors.

Further help

If you’re unsure of what aids may be best for your specific needs, you can ask our Occupational Therapists for expert advice, or check with your medical or care professional. When in doubt, always discuss with a professional before purchasing or using a new aid.

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Jennifer Clarke

Jennifer started work at NRS Healthcare in 2020. As part of the Digital team, she creates, updates, and writes new product pages, more recently expanding this to include articles and guides.

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