Best Electric Scooters for Kids: A Buying Guide for Parents

Let me guess: your kids have been bending your ear for six months solid, and you’ve finally given in. Time for your “due diligence”, before you let your dearly beloved start whizzing around the neighborhood on a pair of wheels. Not so long ago, you were wiping their dirty backsides!

The explosion in popularity of electric scooters for kids has brought with it an explosion in innovation and choice too. This guide will help you sift through the noise, letting you know which factors you need to consider before you start looking, and then give you a little helping hand with a few suggestions to get you on your way! Here we go…

Things to consider:

If it is a toddler you are buying for, then 3 wheels and above are recommended. The foot platforms are wider, allowing more effortless balance, and the extra wheels provide added stability. The ‘lean-to-steer’ comes more intuitively to them as well.

No matter how advanced you think little Tommy is, the 2 wheels are just too taxing on their fledgling motor skills!

In fact, up to 5 or 6, we would say stick to the three wheels; they’ll probably grow out of them about that stage.

Aside from the number of wheels, here are a few other things to bear in mind:

 

• Can it fold?

You’ll need to store it when it's not in use, be that in a cupboard, at school, or a friend’s.  

And you don’t need to think about just the folding feature, but how it folds (Most use a simple 1-click mechanism that even the kids will quickly get the hang of).

 

• How heavy is it?

Linked with portability is the weight. Consider who will be carrying it the most, so lighter is best for the younger kids. For you too, I’m sure!

 

• How does it steer?

Most 3 and 4 wheelers are ‘lean-to-steer’, with the bike curving in the direction the rider leans. Two-wheelers are aimed at old kids with more experience, balance, and motor skills.

 

• How tall are the handlebars? Can you adjust them?

Most scooters allow you to adjust the handlebar stem so that children of a variety of heights can use them, and they adjust when your little one starts to sprout!

They usually have 4 or 5 inches of adjustability and 3 or 4 pre-set height settings. 

 

• If it looks too good to be true…

…it usually is! With the popularity has come a raft of cheap, shoddily-manufactured machines. You are always better playing safe - an established name with experience engineering, plenty of reviews to vouch for their quality, and the knowledge that you won’t be left high and dry with any after-care.

This quality is never more apparent than with durability. Better quality scooters are built to last; cheaper ones are built to seduce buyers.

 

• The scooter's motor

The motor powers the wheels, and varies between scooters.

In general, heavier is more powerful, lasts longer, and carries more weight. Which makes them more robust, but, of course, isn’t ideal for young kids to carry.

 

• The battery

A battery powers the motor. These are almost always rechargeable, but the quality can vary wildly, so beware! Some will last years; others will conk out in a few months. How can you tell the difference? The manufacturer's product info will have details of how long they hold their charge. Lithium batteries - while pricier - have much better staying power.

 

• The brakes

Along with the wheels, the most important part! And yet one that many buyers leave as an afterthought.

They need to be able to stop the scooter in a nice, controlled fashion and slow it down to a more comfortable speed.

Electric scooters use either disc or V-brakes, either front or rear (we recommend rear, as - like braking on a bike - an abrupt front brake can throw the rider forward and off-balance)

 

• The frame and fork

Another oft-overlooked aspect. These hold the scooter together, so durability is a must. In general, scooters with heavier weight limits have a more durable frame and fork.

 

• Maximum speed

Some of the more expensive models go upwards of 15mph! If your child is young or inexperienced, the very thought of this has probably given you a few palpitations there! 

For children younger than 5 or 6 years, 5 mph is more than enough to let them build their confidence and skills while still being in a lot of fun.

As they grow older and their motor skills grow with their experience, you can consider slowly ramping up their limits.

 

• Maximum weight

You need a scooter that can not only handle your child now, but most likely, the extra weight that comes as they grow up. Exceeding the weight recommendations, the scooter won’t necessarily fall apart underneath them but will certainly slow them down and reduce their charge time.

 

• Charge time and range 

These can vary wildly too. There’s no point getting one that takes 12 hours to charge 12 minutes! Luckily, these days most last for 40 minutes plus.

What are the best electric scooters for kids?

1. Best for toddlers

Micro Mini 3-in-1 deluxe

 

• Suitable for 12 months - 5 years
• Up to 35 kg weight
• Cool sitting and standing mode means even toddlers can use it (with the seat)

2. Best for 5-8 year-olds 

Segway Ninebot E8

• 6 years +
• Weight limit: 45 kg
• Maximum speed is 8mph (so slower than more powerful scooters but better until they get a little bit older)
• Front and rear brakes
• It even has cruise control!

3. 8-12 years old

Segway Ninebot ZING E10

• Suitable for 8 years +
• Weight limit of 60 kg
• The next model up, with speeds of 10 mph
• Includes cruise control plus a ‘safety mode’ for parents to apply their own speed limit

4. 12 years +

Razor Pocket Mod Miniature Euro Electric Scooter

• Suitable for 12 years +
• Weight limit of 77 kg
• Speeds of up to 15 mph
• This is like a scaled-down Euro scooter and will really make them feel like they are little adults scooting around in it. But with that speed limit, we’d recommend 12 years at the very youngest!

 

You can also check our article on the 9 Best Kids Scooters.

Conclusion

So, that’s our rundown of what you need to look out for in your search for the best electric scooter for kids (plus a little point in the right direction). 

For plenty more scooter and cycle options, check out our range today at wheelywheels.com. Our friendly experts are on hand for any questions - big or small - to ensure the choice you make is the best one for you.