9 Best 3 Wheel Scooters for Toddlers and Kids

3 wheel scooters for toddlers and kids are all the rage these days. With two stabilizing wheels up front, they are so easy to balance, even toddlers can just hop on and go! And with “lean-to-steer” steering, kids find these scooters more natural to manage.

We put a dozen of the most popular 3-wheeled scooters to the test to see which brands and models our toddler and kid testers preferred. From their overall quality to height adjustability and light-up wheels, we’ll help you quickly find the best 3 wheeled scooter for your kids.

The first thing to think about? Scooters aren’t one-size-fits-all. We have personally measured and listed the handlebar heights and deck widths of each scooter on our list. Our list below is separated by smaller toddler scooters and larger 3-wheel scooters for kids.

The Best 3 Wheel Scooters

3 Wheel Scooters Video Summary

Want to see our favorite scooters in action? Check out our video below to see our kid testers in action on our favorite 3 wheel scooters and learn why these scooters made our list.

3 Wheel Scooters for Toddlers

A toddler’s body is small, so naturally, a scooter for a toddler should be small as well. But while many scooters are marketed to 2 – 5 year olds, very few are actually sized down to fit a toddler or small child well.

Shorter handlebars are particularly hard to find, and you’ll often see toddlers and preschoolers riding a scooter with the handlebars at their chest. Would you want to ride a scooter like that??

Our favorite toddler scooters have shorter handlebars for a more natural toddler fit, along with those three wheels to help with stability. If your child is approaching 5 years old (definitely no longer a toddler!), the larger scooters in our 3 Wheels Scooters for Kids section below will offer more growth and longevity.

Best Toddler Scooter Overall

Micro Mini Deluxe

MSRP: $89

FITS KIDS: 2 – 5 years old, 75 lbs. max (For older kids, try the Maxi Deluxe)

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 17″ – 25″ from deck

FEATURES: Exceptional quality, smooth ride, adjustable-height handlebars, large variety of color options

Gorgeous colors, Swiss-quality design, and a smooth and quiet ride make the Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe the hands-down winner in our book. While more expensive than other toddler scooters on our list, it’s simply because Micro is a brand that never compromises on quality and durability. If you want the best 3-wheel toddler scooter you can buy, this is it.

The foot deck is constructed of reinforced flexible fiberglass, which absorbs impact from the ground and makes for a smoother ride. The adjustable-height handlebar is easy to use, and has 8″ of adjustability – more than any other toddler scooter on this list! It also boasts the lowest handlebar height on this list – another reason it’s the best choice for young toddlers.

Additionally, while all the other scooters have 3 or 4 height settings, the Micro Mini’s handlebars are continuously adjustable. This means that you can set them at the exact height that’s most comfortable for your little one.

And to top in off, the Micro Mini Deluxe comes in SO. MANY. COLORS. Whatever your child’s favorite color is, we’re pretty sure you can find a Micro Mini to match.

FULL REVIEW: Mini Micro Scooter

Toddler Scooter on a Budget

Chillafish Scotti

MSRP: $49

FITS KIDS: 3 – 5 years old, 110 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 18″ – 26″ from deck

FEATURES: Adjustable-height handlebars (4 settings) can also be removed for more compact storage or transport, optional light-up wheels, fun color schemes

We’ve been riding and testing Chillafish balance bikes and ride-on toys for many years, and we’re excited to recommend our first Chillafish scooter. True to the Chillafish brand, the Scotti toddler scooter is well-designed, solid quality, and sold at a very attainable price point.

Available in two models – one with LED light up wheels and one without – both models feature the same height-adjustable handlebars that can be lowered more than any other scooter we’ve found (besides the Micro Mini.)

Our testers raved about how smooth the ride was, even compared to the much more expensive Micro Mini. Between the two scooters, the Scotti’s lean-to-steer function has more play and is more responsive to movement.

While many adventurous or more experienced riders will prefer the Scotti’s increased maneuverability, the greater steering limitations of the Micro Mini make it more manageable for an average toddler’s first scooter experience.

If you have a toddler or petite preschooler and don’t want to spend Micro money on a 3 wheel scooter, the Chillafish Scotti is an excellent and affordable alternative.

Best Ride-on Toy and Scooter – Young Toddlers

Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe

MSRP: $119

FITS KIDS: 12 months – 5 years, 75 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 14″ from deck (O-ring), 17″ – 25″ from deck (T-bar)

FEATURES: Sitting and standing mode, adjustable-height handlebars, extra smooth and stable ride, available in lots of colors

FULL REVIEW: Included in the review for Micro Mini Deluxe

The Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe is genius. It’s essentially the Micro Mini Deluxe scooter, with two additional features that allow toddlers as young as 1 year old to ride!

The first, or beginner setting, has a seat for young toddlers to sit on and scoot forward. The second setting removes the seat and has a short, “O” handlebar for little ones to easily grab as they learn to stand and scoot.

Once a toddler has gained confidence, the “O” handlebar is removed and replaced with the standard “T” bar. The Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe is now a standard scooter!

We’ve used this ride-on toy/scooter with our own toddler and her friends for years. It glides smoothly and easily (but not too fast!) over the wood floors of the house. This Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe quickly became our toddler’s ride-on toy of choice!

Widest Deck for Increased Stability

Yvolution Y Glider Kiwi

MSRP: $69

FITS KIDS: 3 – 8 years old, 110 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 22″ – 30″ from deck (taller than a standard toddler scooter)

FEATURES: Wider deck for increased stability, light weight, easy grip handle bars, three settings of adjustable-height handlebars, LED light-up front wheels, handlebars can be easily removed for transport

Yvolution prides itself on the wide deck of the Y Glider Kiwi, which allows for side-by-side foot placement to improve your child’s balance as they are developing their motor skills. The Kiwi’s deck is the widest of any on our list!

While the handlebars are not as low as a true toddler scooter, we included the Kiwi in this section because its wider deck may be particularly beneficial for the youngest and most timid of riders.

The wide deck is complemented by a wide rear foot brake and wheel, allowing for more steady and intuitive gliding and stopping for younger riders.  

Our kid testers loved the LED light-up front wheels, which make it easier to be seen in the dark, but are also super fun during the day.  

One feature we feel could be improved is the Y Glider’s adjustable handlebars. While we appreciate the option of three different height settings, we found the button to move the handlebar up and down is challenging to push all the way in without pinching fingers. It’s definitely best for parents to tackle that job. But as an added bonus, when taking this scooter on-the-go, the handlebar can be removed for easy storage.

If you have a little daredevil on your hands, be sure to check out our review of Yvolution’s wiggle scooter, the Y Fliker.

3 Wheel Scooters for Kids

Higher weight limits and taller handlebars make these 3-wheel scooters better suited for kids about 5 – 12 years old. Keep in mind that adventurous and athletic kids over 8 years old often prefer the more precise maneuverability of a 2-wheel scooter.

Best Overall for Kids 5+

Micro Maxi Deluxe

MSRP: $149

FITS KIDS: 5-12 years old, 150 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 24″ – 33.5″ from deck

FEATURES: Continuously adjustable height handlebars, shock-absorbing fiberglass deck, light-up wheels and optional folding mechanism

The Micro Maxi Deluxe is the best-in-class standard for 3-wheel scooters. With the same exceptional Swiss design and built-to-last durability as its little brother the Micro Mini, the Maxi is simply a larger version for older kids.

Best 3-wheel Kids Scooter on a Budget

Swagtron K5

MSRP: $39

FITS KIDS: 3+, 100 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 22″ – 30″ from deck

FEATURES: Adjustable height handlebars (3 settings), light-up wheels

Swagtron is a well-known scooter company, so we were excited to get our hands on their budget-friendly K5 3-wheel scooter for kids. Often on sale for under $40 on Amazon, you’ll get the same basic functions as the more expensive scooters we’ve reviewed (lean-to-steer, soft grips, adjustable-height handlebars), but for a much friendlier price.

Of course with the lower price comes a bit lower quality that can affect performance and longevity. Our kid testers noted that the steering is a bit stiffer and the ride is not as smooth as other scooters they’ve tested. But your kids may not mind because of the bright, LED light-up wheels and bold color choices! As parents we appreciated that it wasn’t a big investment but still gave our kids a ride they enjoyed.

Best 3 Wheel Scooter for Sharing Siblings

LaScoota 2-in-1

MSRP: $59

FITS KIDS: 3 – 8 years old, 110 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: Almost 9″ of adjustability

FEATURES: Sitting and standing modes, light-up wheels, adjustable-height handlebars with 4 height settings

While not the highest-quality scooter on the list, we appreciate the LaScoota’s ability to grow with your child from the time they’re a toddler all the way to a big kid. With 8.5″ of handlebar height adjustments at 4 different settings, it will take your kid a long time to outgrow a LaScoota.

It’s also awesome if you have two or more kids that want to use the scooter, because the handlebar height can be set to accommodate a very wide range of ages. (As a 5’10 adult, I can even ride it comfortably!)

The LaScoota’s smallest handlebar height setting is a bit taller than other scooters on our list, so it’s a better starter scooter for kids at least 4+. When in sitting mode, the seat heights are best for 2 or 3 year olds, but the handlebars are very high. Realistically, the sitting mode isn’t practical, but the scooter is still a good bang for your buck.

Fastest 3 Wheel Scooter

GOMO 3 Wheel

MSRP: $59

FITS KIDS: 3 – 5 years old, 110 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 23.5″ – 28″ from deck

FEATURES: Adjustable height handlebars, light-up wheels, soft, grippy handlebars

Bright and cheery color combinations along with light-up wheels make the GOMO a winner for young riders. Ideal for more confident kids who can handle more speed, the GOMO goes fast with little effort. Our little speed demons were particularly happy that the GOMO could keep up with them. 🙂

Our testers told us that they love that the fender brake is closer to the wheel, making it a little easier to engage. They also mentioned how soft and comfortable the hand grips were.

While not technically designed for riders over 5-years-old, with a 110 lb. maximum weight, it’s certainly possible. And with a slightly longer foot deck than the other scooters on this list, the GOMO allows for more foot space for larger feet.

Best Scooter for Fashion + Function

Svolta Mega

MSRP: $95

FITS KIDS: 3+ years old, 110 lbs. max

MIN/MAX HANDLEBAR HEIGHT: 22″ – 27.5″ from deck

FEATURES: High-quality build, wide foot brake, adjustable height handlebar, adorable color combos

Svolta Scooters is bursting onto the scene with the most fashion forward kids’ scooters we’ve seen. With a slogan of “Riding the Runway”, these 3-wheel scooters certainly live up to this mantra.

With gender-neutral colors and designs in a mod-color palette, the Svolta Mega is easily the cutest scooter on the market. We wish they made big ones for moms!

But beyond the pretty face, the quality of the Svolta Mega is fantastic. While not quite to the level of Micro Scooters, it’s a close second, and far more sturdy than any of the other scooters on the list. So if you want a scooter that’s fashionable and functional, the Svolta Mega is your perfect match.

What to Look for in a 3 Wheel Scooter

3 wheel scooters are generally pretty simple, but they do have slightly different features and their quality level varies. 3 wheel scooters are the best toddler scooters (due to their stability), although there are also many 3 wheels scooters for older kids.

Here’s a short summary of the most important things to look for to find the best 3 wheel scooter for your toddler, pre-schooler, or grade-schooler. If you’re looking for scooters of varying styles (not just 3-wheel), check out our list of Best Scooters for Kids.

Toddlers Scooters – 2 Years Old and 3 Years Old

3 wheels scooters are ideal for toddlers because they are stable and incredibly easy to use. With three wheels, the scooter stays upright without any help from the child.

The foot platform is also wider than traditional kick scooters, which makes staying upright for toddlers that much easier. Additionally, the steering function requires a child to lean rather than turn the front wheels, which prevents sudden jerks which often cause little ones to fall over.

We do not recommend 2 wheel scooters for toddlers. Two wheels are much more difficult to keep upright for those young ones who are still developing their motor skills.

Preschool and Older Scooters – 4 Years Old, 5 Years Old +

While many preschoolers can handle a 2 wheel scooter, 3 wheels are still much easier for kids this age. As a child grows to 5 or 6, they will probably outgrow their 3 wheel scooter. If you have an older child that prefers the ease-of-use of three wheels, check out the Micro Maxi or LaScoota 2-in-1, which are both larger 3 wheel scooters.

Steering

Most 3 wheel scooters are “lean-to-steer”. Traditional kick scooters require a child to turn the handlebars to turn the front wheel, just like a bike. With “lean-to-steer” scooters, movement more closely mimics a skateboard.

The handlebars don’t truly turn, but lean to the left or right as the child shifts their weight in that direction. This motion then turns the wheels in that direction as well. It’s kind of like a skateboard with a handlebar for kids to hold on! Children are still able to execute fairly sharp turns, they just use the weight of their body to move the scooter in a different direction.

This style of steering is much easier for young toddlers to manage because the handlebars don’t rotate. With traditional scooters, toddlers excitedly grab the handlebars to get on, but then loose control immediately when the handlebars jerk to the left or right.

Lean-to-steer scooters also generally prevent exaggerated turns that can cause a child to crash. It also creates a feeling of surfing the sidewalk that kids really enjoy!

Quality and Price

Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. If you want a high-quality, smooth-rolling, quiet scooter, Micro is the way to go. If you can deal with a good scooter that doesn’t have quite the same quality or durability, any other scooter on this list is a respectable option.

Beware of those scooters on Amazon that are $20 or $30. Just remember that you get what you pay for! While we haven’t tested those models, users on Amazon report complaints like the brake fender breaking off, or the plastic deck cracking.

Handlebar Height

Every 3-wheel scooter on this list has adjustable height handlebars. This allows you to raise the handlebar as your child grows from a toddler to a big kid. As a result, riding will be more comfortable, and kids won’t grow out of the scooter so quickly.

Most scooters have about 4 – 5″ of adjustability with 3 or 4 pre-set height settings. The Micro Mini, on the other hand, has 8″ of continual adjustability.

Foot Platform

Wide foot decks help toddlers and young kids feel stable and give them confidence. This also increases their ability to balance.

3 wheel scooters generally have foot decks that are about 5″ wide – just enough extra space for little feet without getting bulky. As a comparison, the small traditional 2 wheel Razor scooter’s foot deck is only 3.5″ wide.

Colors and Fun Extras

Realistically, the most important feature of a scooter is probably the color. 😉 If it’s the wrong color, we all know what can happen!

Fortunately, all the 3 wheel scooters on this list come in multiple colors. The Micro scooters come in the widest array of colors, while the GOMO scooters are all dual-colored to add an extra pop of charisma.

Light-up wheels are always a fun surprise for little (and big!) kids. Many scooters have LED wheel options. Some models are offered with or without, with the LED options being a bit more expensive.

Some parents ask about electric scooters for toddlers and kids, but we recommend holding off on electric scooters until kids are at least 5. You can check out our Best Electric Scooters for Kids article here.

3-Wheel Toddler Scooter Comparison