12 Best Balance Bikes for Kids of All Ages

A balance bike is a pedal-less bike with two wheels. Kids ride them like regular bikes, but they are powered by a child’s running legs rather than pedals.

Balance bikes are perfect bikes for 2-year-olds (and up!) as they teach kids to balance on two wheels and ride independently. Balance bikes are also called strider bikes, glider bikes, running bikes, or toddler push bikes.

Looking for the best balance bike for your toddler, pre-schooler, or really a kid of any age? We’ve tested over 100 different balance bikes (no joke – you should see our garages!) with a wide variety of ages to help you find the best bike for your child.

Best Balance Bikes by Age

When selecting a balance bike, it is critical to remember that they are not one-size-fits-all. A toddler in 18-months clothes who is just getting started will fit on a different balance bike than a toddler or preschooler in 3T pants. And there are even larger balance bikes for grade schoolers as well!

The ages listed below indicate the child’s age when you buy the bike. These age groups are approximate, as a bike’s seat height should also be considered for the best fit (seat heights provided in bike descriptions below).

Visual learner? See all of our favorite balance bikes put to the test in our video review below.

BALANCE BIKES BUYING TIPS

1. Balance bikes are NOT one-size-fits-all. For the best fit, measure your child’s inseam and compare it to the seat height of the bike. Look for a bike with a minimum seat height that is equal to or slightly less than your child’s inseam.
2. Air tires are better than foam tires. Many tires on balance bikes are made of solid foam rather than rubber filled with air. Foam tires offer no cushioning and less traction than air tires. If you are planning on riding on any surface other than pavement, air tires are a worthy upgrade.
3. Hand brakes are not required, but highly recommended. Kids naturally learn to stop a balance bike with their feet. As they get older they learn to use a handbrake, which helps them stop faster and saves money on buying shoes! For older kids who can ride faster and more aggressively on a balance bike, a hand brake is much more necessary.
4. Jump down to our FAQ section at the end of the page to get answers to more frequently asked questions about balance bikes.

Best Balance Bikes for Young Toddlers

18 months or 2 years old is a perfect time to start a toddler on their balance bike journey. Introducing a balance bike early will allow your toddler to learn to ride independently from the very start. With little ones, a lightweight bike is especially key!

WOOM 1

Best Overall – Young Toddlers and Older Toddlers

MSRP: $249

FITS KIDS: In 18-months pants to 3T. For a larger option, check out the WOOM 1 Plus.

SEAT HEIGHT: 10″ to 14″

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, quick release seat post, and turning limiter

FULL REVIEW: WOOM 1

Perfection from top to bottom, the woom 1 creates a smooth, easy ride for young or small toddlers getting an early start on their balance bike journey.  To keep young ones at ease, the woom’s handlebars place the rider in a natural, upright position with their weight centered over their hips. This helps toddlers feel less hesitant about balancing.

This, combined with a lightweight, extremely low step-through frame, a low minimum seat height, extra-cushioned air tires, and an easy-to-use handbrake, allows the woom 1 to effortlessly take your child from walking along the sidewalk to ripping down trails.  As an added bonus, the woom 1 is available in 5 colors!

Strider Classic and Strider Sport

Best Mid Priced – Young Toddlers and Older Toddlers

MSRP: $99 (Strider Classic) $119 (Strider Sport)

FITS KIDS: 18 months to 4-years-old (Strider Classic only recommended until 3-years-old due to shorter seat post.)

SEAT HEIGHT: 11″ to 19″ (Sport), 11″ to 16″ (Classic)

FEATURES: Foam tires, foot rest

FULL REVIEW: Strider Sport

Built on a well-designed frame, the Strider is easily adaptable to fit a wide range of age groups. With an extended seat post and adjustable-height handlebars, we’ve had the best luck with Strider at accommodating kids of various sizes. For a decent price point, the Strider is a quality bike that fits light kids, heavy kids, tall kids, short kids – you generally can’t go wrong with a Strider.

The primary difference between the Strider Classic and the Strider Sport is maximum seat height. The Strider Classic has a seat height range of 11″ to 16″. The Strider Sport comes with a second, longer seat post to extend the seat range to 11″ to 19″. Adding that extra seat post is more expensive, but handy for older toddlers as they grow.

Retrospec Cub 2

Best on a Budget – Young Toddlers

MSRP: $69

FITS KIDS: 18 months transitioning to 3T clothes

SEAT HEIGHT: 11.5″ – 15″

FEATURES: Puncture-proof foam tires, quick release seat post and handlebar height adjustments, long wheelbase

With a low minimum seat height of 11.5″, the Retrospec Cub 2 (not the older model Cub – big difference!) is a great balance bike for young toddlers itching to get started on their balance bike journey before their second birthday.

Built with room for growth, including height-adjustable handlebars, the Cub 2 will quickly and comfortably get your little one cruising the town.

If your little one is a stylish icon, the Cub 2 is also a top pick as it comes in 8 different fun and modern color designs. For those aggressive riders who are ready to tackle jumps or varied terrains, the Cub 2 is also available in a Plus model which features air tires, a rust-free aluminum frame, and a handbrake.

Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers – 2 to 3 years old

These bikes are a little bigger that our smallest choices, and are sized to fit toddlers in at least 24 months pants. While toddlers won’t be able to use the handbrake until they are about 2.5, it’s hugely beneficial as they get older and ride more aggressively.

Guardian Balance Bike

Best Overall – Taller Toddlers

MSRP: $149

FITS KIDS: Toddlers in clothes sized 2T to transitioning to 4T

SEAT HEIGHT: 12.5″ to 16″

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, and turning limiter

FULL REVIEW: Guardian Balance Bike

With several fun, colorful designs to choose from as well as air tires and a handbrake, there is a lot to love about the Guardian Balance bike. With a taller minimum and maximum seat height than the woom 1, the Guardian provides exceptional quality, but more room for growth for tall or older toddlers.

The Guardian balance bike also features Guardian’s proprietary SureStop braking system, which allows the rear and front rim brakes to be activated by pulling just one brake lever. During our tests, the Guardian provided plenty of top-notch stopping power to keep our little testers safe, but not significantly more than other high-end balance bikes with quality hand brakes.

As a result, while the Guardian balance bike is a stand-out option, the SureStop brakes shouldn’t play a major role in your purchasing decision if you’re comparing it to a balance bike with a high-quality single handbrake. (But the cute designs, top-notch customer service and quality build should!)

Swagtron K3

Best on a Budget – Older Toddlers

MSRP: $59

FITS KIDS: In size 2T to 4T pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 12.25″ to 15.25″

FEATURES: Air tires, lightweight frame

FULL REVIEW: Swagtron K3

A well-designed frame for the price, the Swagtron K3 has a longer wheelbase, making it more stable than other budget balance bikes. It also has solid-quality air tires, a sleek matte aluminum frame, a true headset, and weighs under 7 lbs.! For a budget balance bike, this is a pretty impressive resume.

While the Swagtron K3 is a deal for budget-minded families, just keep in mind that while we think the design is great, this isn’t a bike that’s going to last you for generations.

For more budget balance bike options, check out our 10 Best Balance Bikes Under $100 list.

Best Balance Bikes for Preschoolers – 3 to 4 years Old

For riders who are starting their balance bike journey a little later, you’re looking for a longer wheelbase to give them more room to stretch out on the bike. A handbrake is also highly recommended at this age, as older kids can reach much higher speeds.

WOOM 1 Plus

Best Overall – Preschoolers

MSRP: $299

FITS KIDS: Fits kids in 3T to 5 pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 14.8″ to 18.7″

FEATURES: Air tires, dual handbrakes, turning limiter

FULL REVIEW: WOOM 1 PLUS

One of our favorite balance bikes made bigger, the woom 1 Plus has all the benefits of the popular woom 1, but for kids ages 3 to 5. It’s the perfect bike for timid kids starting off their balance bike journey as preschoolers versus toddlers.

With comfortable, upright body positioning, large 14″ air tires, a removable “surfboard” footrest and turning limiter, and DUAL hand brakes (a rare find in balance bikes), the woom 1 Plus is the ultimate confidence-building, larger balance bike.

Keep in mind that with its taller handlebars, the woom 1 Plus is best for timid and casual neighborhood riders. Kids who will likely be tackling pump tracks won’t be able to lean in far enough to get aggressive.

Banana Bike GT

Budget Pick – Preschoolers

MSRP: $69

FITS KIDS: Kids in 2T to 4T pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 12.5″ to 17″

FEATURES: Air tires, long seat post for plenty of room for growth

FULL REVIEW: Banana Bike GT/LT

At this budget price point, the Banana Bike GT is missing two key features for older riders: larger 14″ wheels and a handbrake. That said, for $69, this little bike really can’t be beat!

It does feature a longer wheelbase so growing kids won’t be cramped, and its seat post boasts 4.5″ of seat height range. This is plenty of room for growth! If you’re looking for a budget bike, or think your child will only be on a balance bike for a short time, the Banana Bike GT is a solid option.

Ridgeback Scoot

Lots of Room for Growth!

MSRP: $289

FITS KIDS: Kids in 3T to 5T pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 14″ to 20″

FEATURES: Extra cushioning air tires, hand brake, quality construction

FULL REVIEW: Ridgeback Scoot

The Ridgeback Scoot is a top-quality balance bike featuring all the upgraded components you could ask for: air tires, handbrake, quick release seat post, and kid-shaped saddle. While not cheap, its durable quality is a solid investment and can easily be passed down to other siblings.

A little heavier than other options on our list, the Scoot is less ideal for petite or timid kids, but is a dynamite bike for confident, athletic, or eager little ones.

Best Balance Bikes for PreK – 4 to 6 years

Is a four year old too old for a balance bike? No way! Is a 6 year old too old for a balance bike? Also no way! Balance bikes are so much fun to ride, and are a far better experience than a pedal bike with training wheels.

Ridgeback Scoot XL

Best Overall – Ages 4 to 6 or even 7

MSRP: $299

FITS KIDS: In size 4T to 7 pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 16″ – 21.5″

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, quality construction

FULL REVIEW: Ridgeback Scoot XL

The Ridgeback Scoot XL is the bigger brother of the Ridgeback Scoot. These two bikes are almost identical, except for their size. The larger, taller frame of the Scoot XL is better scaled for taller kids. The adjustable handlebar height is also a bonus for kids who need to ride the Scoot XL until they are 6 or 7 years old.

Strider 14x

Mid Priced Pick – Ages 4 to 5 years old

MSRP: $219

FITS KIDS: While the manufacturer recommends from ages 3 to 7, based on our testing, we recommend only from ages 4 to 5, or with inseams ranging from 17″ to 20″ in balance bike mode and 16″ to 20″ in pedal bike mode.

SEAT HEIGHT: 15″ to 22″

FULL REVIEW: Strider 14x Convertible Balance Bike

The Strider 14x has gained fame for being a larger balance bike that converts to a pedal bike. No need for training wheels, once a child has learned to balance while in balance bike mode, simply put on the pedals and within a couple of minutes they’ll be pedaling away! Once your child outgrows the pedal bike mode, they will be ready for a 16″ bike.

Based on our testing, the pedal bike mode of the Strider 14x is a very temporary solution, and a child will need a true 16″ pedal bike pretty quickly. As a result, we don’t generally recommend the optional pedal kit, but do like the Strider 14x as a larger balance bike.

Bixe 16

Budget Pick – Ages 5 to 6 years old

MSRP: $125

FITS KIDS: Grade school kids, in size 6 to 8 pants

FEATURES: Air tires, lightweight

FULL REVIEW: Bixe 16

The Bixe 16 serves a fantastic purpose for kids who are too old or big for a traditional balance bike. If your child is already in kindergarten or 1st grade but is still struggling to learn to ride a bike… Bixe 16 to the rescue! With larger wheels and a larger frame, the Bixe 16 is designed to help ease the transition to a pedal bike for timid kids.

While not the best quality bike on our list, it’s a perfect temporary solution to get your kid confident enough on two wheels before you add in the complexity of pedals. It’s also a unique longer-term solution for special needs kids who may prefer to stay on a balance bike.

Specialty Balance Bikes

While all the balance bikes on our list perform exceptionally well for the average balance biker riding around town, the following balance bikes on our “specialty” list perform wonders off the beaten path.

Dirt Hero Off-road Balance Bike

Best for MTB and Off-road Families – Ages 2 to 5

MSRP: $340+

FITS KIDS: Toddlers and preschoolers with inseams ranging from 13.5″ to 18.75″

FEATURES: Available with 12″ or 14″ wheels, extra cushioning air tires with knobby tread, lightweight, optional hydraulic disc brake, off-road geometry

FULL REVIEW: Dirt Hero Off-road Balance Bike Review

Built for the true off-road balance bike enthusiast, the Dirt Hero balance bike (by Kids Ride Shotgun) lives up to its name and offers an exceptional ride for toddlers and preschooler riding beyond the pavement. The extra wide tires provide plenty of cushioning and traction for cruising through chunky trails, while the proper off-road geo offers room to lean-in while blasting over features at the bike park. The Dirt Hero is one exceptional rig.

For single-track-loving families, the Dirt Hero is also a phenomenal replacement for a small MTB pedal bike! Small pedal bikes are very inefficient and all but impossible for kids to pedal uphill. Large obstacles like rocks and roots are also a daunting task! On the Dirt Hero, however, our preschool testers didn’t skip a beat and easily mastered basic single-track trails.

The Dirt Hero is also unique in that the same frame is compatible with 12″ and 14″ wheel kits. As a result, you can buy the larger wheels as your child grows or even buy the smaller wheels for a younger sibling when needed. The optional hydraulic disc brake can also be added on when needed.

Other Balance Bikes to Keep on Your Radar!

Yedoo Too Too

High Quality with Fun Designs and Color Options

MSRP: $199

FITS KIDS: Toddlers in clothes sized 24 mo to 4T

SEAT HEIGHT: 12.5″ to 16.5″ (or max 19.5″ with optional extended seat post)

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, and turning limiter

FULL REVIEW: Yedoo Too Too

Beyond offering a lot of super cute colors and designs, the Too Too is a nimble, lightweight bike that is an exceptional buy.  The Too Too comes with cushioning air tires, a true headset for increased maneuverability, a handbrake, and angled tire valves that make pumping those small tires up much easier.

Prevelo Alpha Zero

Honorable Mention for Adventurous Riders

MSRP: $219

FITS KIDS: 24 months old to transitioning to 3T clothes

SEAT HEIGHT: 11.4″ to 14.6″

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, quick release seat post

FULL REVIEW: Prevelo Alpha Zero

The Alpha Zero is what every young grom’s (and let’s be honest, their parents’ as well) dreams are made of.  No bright and busy graphics or literal bells and whistles, just a perfectly proportioned and precision-built balance bike.

From its high-end components, to a long wheelbase for added stability on jumps, hills, or trail riding, the Alpha Zero provides a smooth and effortless ride that is sure to instill a love of biking in your child at a young age.

Pello Ripple

Great for Paved or Dirt Trails

MSRP: $209

FITS KIDS: In 24 months – 4T pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 11.25″ to 15.5″

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, adjustable height handlebar

FULL REVIEW: Pello Ripple

A versatile little workhorse with best-in-class components, the Ripple comes complete with wide air tires, a Cane Creek headset, a caliper hand brake, and an extended seat post. Its unique design is centered around rotating handlebars that allow you to dial in the perfect fit as your toddler grows.

Frog Tadpole

Fun Colors, Exceptional Quality

MSRP: $310

FITS KIDS: 2T/3T – 4T pants

SEAT HEIGHT: 13.3″ – 16.5″

FEATURES: Tektro handbrake, Kenda air tires, quick release seat post

FULL REVIEW: Frog Tadpole

The Frog Tadpole provides a unique combination of top-notch performance, rugged durability, fun playful colors, and design options. With a long wheelbase for added stability, Kenda air tires for added traction, and a Tektro handbrake for faster stopping power, the Frog is a great choice for aggressive kids who will one day want to hit the pump tracks and dirt trails.

The Tadpole also rides smooth and steady over paved surfaces, and is confidence inspiring for beginning riders as well.

The Frog wins the day in the design department, offering 8 different colors and patterns to appeal to a wide range of preferences.

FirstBIKE Street

Honorable Mention – Budget-Friendly Air Tires and Handbrake

MSRP: $160

FITS KIDS: Toddlers in clothes sized 2T to 4T (with lowering kit)

SEAT HEIGHT: 12″ or 14″ – 17.5″ (min 12″ requires a lowering kit)

FEATURES: Air tires, hand brake, and turning limiter

FULL REVIEW: FirstBIKE

The FirstBIKE was built with a child’s safety as a priority. Designed with a composite frame with smooth edges and recessed bolt pockets, there isn’t a sharp or blunt edge on this entire toddler push bike! The FirstBIKE is also waterproof and rust-proof for endless summertime fun riding through sprinklers or puddles. Quality air tires and a handbrake provide solid performance power.

As kids get older and heavier, the downside to the FirstBIKE is that the frame can flex when the seat post is set at its highest position. Most kids who start on the FirstBIKE around age 2 can typically move up to a pedal bike before they experience any issues with flexing. As a result, we don’t recommend the FirstBIKE for really tall toddlers or preschoolers as who are more likely to experience issues with flexing with extended use.

Comparison Chart: Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers and Kids

Balance Bike FAQ’s

We’ve tested and reviewed balance bikes for the past 10 years, and have had hundreds of parents ask us questions about them. Here are the answers to what we believe are the most important questions for those just starting on their balance bike journey.

What is the best age for a balance bike?

To get the most use out of a balance bike, the best age to start a child is between 18 months and 2.5 years. Starting them young will not only allow them to happily ride their bike independently for all of their toddlers years, it will also allow them to move up to a pedal bike by age 3 or 4.

That said, there are balance bikes made for all sizes of toddlers, pre-schoolers, and grade schoolers, so it’s basically never too late to start. Remember… a balance bike will almost always be a better option than a tricycle or training wheels. If your child is at an age when you would consider either of these options, consider a balance bike instead!

Unlike tricycles and training wheels, toddlers can hop on a balance bike and start walking and scooting around from day one. They never come with push bars for adults to assist the child, as there is no use for them; one of the greatest advantages of a balance bike is that very young kids can ride them all on their own.

How many years do kids ride them?

Kids generally ride balance bikes for 1 to 2.5 years, depending on the age they start, their athletic ability, and their developmental readiness.

A child that starts at 18-months-old may take several months to sit and run confidently on their balance bike, but then spend the next year or two dominating the world on those two wheels.

Your average 2 year old or 2.5 year old will grasp the process more quickly, but may still spend another year or two enjoying the ride.

Remember… while a balance bike certainly prepares a child for a pedal bike, that’s not their only purpose. They are a ton of fun. There should be no rush to put a child on a pedal bike just because they are 3 or 4, or even 5 years old!

Less coordinated kids generally stay on a balance bike longer because it’s a simple little machine that’s easy and fun for them to maneuver. Don’t force the complexity of pedals onto a child that isn’t ready and who is still enjoying their balance bike!

What are the main benefits of a balance bike?

There are five main benefits of balance bikes over other types of bikes for toddlers. Balance bikes…

1. Fit kids much better than tricycles or training wheels
2. Move easily and safely over uneven surfaces
3. Are light and easy to ride – kids can ride much farther
4. Provide years of fun and independent riding before a child transitions to a pedal bike
5. Eliminate the need for training wheels – balance bike graduates usually learn to ride a pedal bike in about 5 to 10 minutes, DRAMA FREE.

How do they compare to training wheels?

Training wheels significantly delay a child’s ability and desire to ride a bike. Balance bikes teach toddlers and kids how to ride while balanced, whereas training wheels teach how to ride while unbalanced.  

Bikes with training wheels tilt to one side, creating a false sense of balance.  In order to ride without the training wheels, a child must “unlearn” how to ride unbalanced and then learn how to ride while balanced.

On a balance bike, proper balancing techniques are learned from day one.  One other thing to consider is that balance bikes are just more fun and much easier to ride than a bike with training wheels.

You can learn more about the pitfalls of training wheels on our page: Training Wheels: 10 Common Questions Parents Ask.

Are they better than a tricycle?

Balance bikes are much safer and more practical than tricycles.  With three wheels, tricycles are slow, awkward to maneuver, and easily tip on uneven or angled surfaces.  On a balance bike, children are focused on balancing, rather than pedaling.  As a result, they are more prepared for an unexpected loss in balance and are much less likely to fall.

Toddlers can also walk or run for several miles on a balance bike, but can rarely make it to the end of a block on a tricycle.  Tricycles are simply too inefficient for kids to ride long distances, which is why they often come with handles for parents to push.

You can read more about the debate between balance bikes and tricycles on our page: Balance Bikes vs Tricycles.

How do you ride one?

There are four stages to learning how to ride a balance bike. While some kids need a little instruction, most kids intuitively move through these stage on their own. So you don’t really “teach” a child to ride a balance bike. These stages simply help parents to understand what this process should look like.

1. Stand and walk
2. Sit and walk
3. Sit and run
4. Run, glide, and explore!

Perhaps the most important take away is that kids move through these stages at very different rates. Depending on age, athletic ability, temperament, and desire, the amount of time a child takes to “master” a balance bike varies greatly. For a much more detailed look at these stages, check out our article How To Ride a Balance Bike.

Where do kids put their feet?

Balance bikes do not require a footrest. Kids naturally pick up their feet as they are gliding. In all our years of testing, we have rarely had a child ask where to put their feet on the bike, but A LOT of parents ask that question :-).

Can I use a regular bike as a balance bike?

For kids ages 5 and up, removing the pedals of a regular bike is a good and affordable option, but is unpractical for toddlers and preschoolers. Pedal bikes are much heavier than balance bikes, making them more difficult to learn to balance.  

It’s important to remember that balance bikes are more than simply the means to an end.  While balance bikes DO prepare kids to ride a bike, they also offer toddlers years of fun and independence BEFORE they are tall enough to fit on the smallest pedal bike.  

If you are considering taking the pedals off of a bike to use it as a balance bike, it’s best to do with older kids on 16″, 20″ or 24″ bikes. When a child is still small enough to fit on a 12″ or 14″ bike, even investing in a cheap balance bike would be a much better option. We discuss how to use a pedal bike as a balance bike here.

My child won’t ride his balance bike… what’s wrong?

Every child has a will of their own, and sometimes they just refuse to do what you want! It often takes younger toddlers several months to be consistently interested. For example, at 18 months, our toddler walked with her balance bike for about 2 weeks. And then for 5.5 months she wouldn’t touch it! Miraculously one day, she just picked it up and started going. We haven’t been able to stop her since!

If your child doesn’t seem interested, keep the bike around so they can see it and use it when they feel the time is right. Resist the temptation to pressure them. We’ve seen time and again that kids will be interested when they want to be interested.

It can also be helpful to take your child somewhere that they can see other kids riding balance bikes. When they see other kids doing it, they realize that it’s not that hard and they want to be in on the fun!

Kids who have tricycles, scooters, or bikes with training wheels can be more resistant to ride a balance bike. Why? Balance bikes require a little more effort to learn but offer far greater rewards in return.  If you think this might be the problem, remove these other distractions and only offer up the balance bike as a possibility.

Best case scenario, we encourage parents to not introduce a tricycle, training wheels, or scooter until after a child has mastered a balance bike.

Can you add pedals to a balance bike?

You cannot add pedals to just any balance bike, but there are a few balance bikes that are designed to convert to pedal bikes. The Strider 14x and LittleBig bikes are the two most common examples. These convertible balance bikes have optional pedal kits that can be installed when your child has mastered their balance bike and is ready to tackle pedals. These pedal kits only work with these bikes.

What should I look for when buying a balance bike?

While balance bikes seem simple, there are actually quite a few features you need to consider to find the perfect balance bike for your child.

For example, what size is the best fit? (Remember, they are not one-size-fits-all!!) Do you need air tires or foam tires? How much does weight matter? Is one brand better than another? We cover all these features and more in our Balance Bike Sizing and Buying Guide.

Related Articles

9 Best Balance Bikes for Older Kids: 3 – 6 year olds: Want more options for older riders? We’ve tested the best!

Balance Bike Sizing and Buying Guide: A more detailed discussion on how balance bike sizes work, and how to get the best fit.