Hey there toddler parent (or grandparent)! Are you looking for the BEST balance bike for your toddler? You are in the right place!
In the last few years, the market has become absolutely flooded with a plethora of balance bike options. Unfortunately, many of these bikes are complete junk.
We’ve researched and personally tested dozens of balance bikes to help you sort through the weeds, save your hard-earned money, and save you time picking out a bike.
Our favorite balance bike is the Woom 1. It is lightweight, easy for kids to learn to ride on, and holds it’s value well.
Our top pick for budget balance bikes is the Retrospec Cub. It’s both lightweight and sturdy–not a combo you find with most cheaper balance bikes.
Looking for more options? Read on for our top balance bike picks, balance bike reviews, AND tips on what you should be looking for in a balance bike so you can make the best choice for your child.
Quick Summary: What Parents Need To Know Before Buying
- Weight is crucial: Toddlers need bikes they can actually handle. Look for bikes under 10 lbs—the lighter, the better.
- Measure your child’s inseam: This is THE most important measurement. Your child needs to put their feet flat on the ground when seated. Minimum seat heights range from 10″ to 14″, so measure before you buy.
- Balance bikes have great resale value: Kids outgrow them quickly (12-18 months of use), so quality bikes hold 50-75% of their value. Consider buying used or factor in resale when budgeting.
Our Top Picks
| Best Overall | What We Love | Price |
| Woom 1 | Incredibly lightweight, low standover | $249 |
| Prevelo Alpha Zero | Internal cable routing, brand name components | $259 |
| Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero | Disc brakes, convertible wheel size | $279 |
| Yedoo TooToo | Fun color schemes | $159 |
| Guardian Balance Bike | SureStop braking system | $149 |
| Hornit Airo | Super lightweight, sleek design | $185 |
| Co-op Rev 12 | Use your REI dividend | $169 |
| Best Budget | ||
| Retrospec Cub | Great bang for your buck | $69 |
| Eastern Pusher | Great for indoor use | $119 |
| Strider Sport | Strider themed races, contests, etc | $129 |
Woom 1
Price: $249 List
Reasons To Buy
✅Extremely lightweight at 6.6 lbs
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Rear handbrake is a welcome safety feature ✅Removable steering limiter
Reasons To Avoid
❌Pricey
Quick Info: 6.6 lbs, 10″ minimum inseam, handbrake, removal steering limiter, air tires
No matter the age, Woom bikes are as nice as they come. The Woom 1, the smallest bike in the Woom line-up, is truly top-notch. If you can afford it, there is no doubt that this bike will perform for your little one.
The upright geometry and long wheelbase make the Woom balance bike stable and easy to cruise on. And at a mere 6.6 pounds, this bike is super light making it the best balance bike for an 18-month-old.
The only bummer is the price. At $249, this is one of the more expensive balance bikes around. The good news is that Woom bikes hold their value well, so you can get a good price for it on the used market, or you can save money on your child’s next bike with the Woom Upcycle program.
Read Our Review: Woom 1
Prevelo Alpha Zero
Price: $259 List
Quick Info: 6.9 lbs, 12.5″ minimum inseam, handbrake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅Different wheel size options that allow the bike to grow with your child
✅Optional disc brake
✅ Quality foot pegs
Reasons To Avoid
❌Kids feet may interfere with brake cable
The Prevelo Alpha Zero is as pretty as it is functional. The sleek brushed-aluminum frame is lightweight and boasts internal routing for the brake cable to keep things clean and tidy.
Speaking of brakes, this little balance bike has an easy-to-pull, easy-to-reach handbrake. That, along with pneumatic (air) tires, quick-release seatpost, and optional custom-color grips, make the Prevelo a top-pick.
Like the Woom, Prevelo has a TradeUp program which makes the cost of your child’s next bike more palatable.
Read Review: Prevelo Alpha Zero
Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero
Price: $279 List
Quick Info: 8.8 lbs, 13.3″ minimum inseam, optional brake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅Pneumatic tires with good traction
✅ Handbrake is adjustable
✅ Internal cable routing
✅ Customizable color grips and lettering
Reasons To Avoid
❌Most expensive bike on this list
Kids Ride Shotgun (one of our favorite bike seats for mountain biking) also makes the unique Dirt Hero balance bike. With two different wheel size options and an optional rear disc brake, the Dirt Hero caters to mountain bike kids who want to ride off-road.
The bike is suitable for kids aged 2 to 5 years and can accommodate a wide range of heights due to the customizable wheel sizes (12 inch or 14 inch).
Pros of the Dirt Hero include its easy assembly, the ability to grow with the child, pneumatic air tires for better traction, and the optional brake for safety and skill development. The bike’s mountain bike geometry and quality foot pegs are also advantageous.
On the downside, the Dirt Hero is expensive, lacks a quick release seat collar, and the full package with both wheel sizes and the brake can cost around $400. Its higher price point may deter some buyers, especially considering that there are cheaper alternatives.
Read Our Review: KRS Dirt Hero
Yedoo TooToo
Price: $159 List
Quick Info: 8.2 lbs, 11.8″ minimum inseam, handbrake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Brand name components
✅ Beautiful aesthetics
✅ Reflective accents
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Bulky saddle
If you want the prettiest balance bike on the market, the Yedoo TooToo is the winner. The bike comes in an array of beautiful color schemes and has a pleasing aesthetic.
Of course, we wouldn’t include a bike on our Top 10 list just for looking good. The Yedoo TooToo also performs. It includes pneumatic (air) tires, a rear v-brake, and reflective dots on the tires.
Our only complaint is that the saddle is a bit bulky which makes it harder for little riders (and those with diapers) to fit. There is also no quick release seatpost collar so you have to actually use a tool to raise or lower the seat.
Read Review: Yedoo TooToo
Guardian Balance Bike
Price: $149 List
Quick Info: 8.5 lbs, 11.5″ minimum inseam, handbrake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ SureStop braking system
✅ Quick, out-of-the-box assembly
✅ Long wheelbase for stability
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Heavier than other options in this pricepoint
Guardian offers some of the safest kids bikes around thanks to their SureStop braking technology. A single brake lever provides appropriate force to both the front and rear wheels to help prevent over the bars braking accidents. This is particularly helpful for young children–like those on balance bikes!
In addition to the smart braking system, we like that the bike has a long wheelbase which helps with stability. Finally, a removable steering limiter is yet another safety feature we appreciate.
The overall fit is a little larger than other balance bikes, so it’s a better fit for older toddlers.
Read Our Review: Guardian Balance Bike
Hornit Airo
Price: $185 List
Quick Info: 6.5 lbs, 11.8″ minimum inseam, no brake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Sleek design minimizes opportunity for injury
✅ Quality wheels and sealed bearings
✅ Sleek design
Reasons To Avoid
❌ No brake
At 6.5 pounds, Hornit Airo is one of the lightest bikes around that includes pneumatic air tires and durable spoked, metal wheels. This makes for an enjoyable rider experience (as well as making it easier for mom and dad to carry).
The sleek design is made to minimize opportunity for injury to little riders, and the bike comes in a wide variety of bright beautiful colors. It’s a great pick for kids in 2T pants and up.
While extremely light, be aware that some of the weight savings comes from the exclusion of additional features. The bike does not have a brake, a footrest, or a quick release seatpost collar.
Read Our Review: Hornit Airo
Eastern Pusher
Price: $129
Quick Info: 4.6 lbs, 13″ minimum inseam, no brake, foam tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Super lightweight
✅ Non-marking tires ideal for indoor use
✅Good traction on hardwood floors
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Not ideal for outdoor use
The Eastern Pusher balance bike is a tiny pushbike offered by the popular BMX company. While we don’t recommend many balance bikes on this list that don’t have pneumatic (air) tires, we like the Eastern enough we had to include it.
First off, the bike is crazy lightweight (4.6 lbs). This makes it ideal for more petite riders. Second of all, we found that the tires were non-marking and had good traction on our hardwood floors, which made it the toy of choice during one particularly long winter at our house.
For more agressive outdoor use, the bike isn’t as ideal.
Read Review: Eastern Pusher
Co-Op REV 12
Price: $169
Quick Info: 9 lbs, 13.8″ minimum inseam, no brake, air tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Use your REI dividend
✅ Good bang for your buck
✅Durable, simple design
Reasons To Avoid
❌ No handbrake
If you have an REI dividend burning a hole in your pocket, make sure to check out the Co-Op REV 12. This REI brand balance bike offers lots of bang for your buck.
It doesn’t have any bells or whistles (there’s no handbrake for instance), but it’s simple design is durable and it weighs in at only 9 pounds. Get it with a 20% off coupon or your dividend, and this is a great deal.
Read Our Review: Co-Op Cycles REV 12 Review
Retrospec Cub
Price: $69 List
Quick Info: 9.2 lbs, 12″ minimum inseam, no brake, foam tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Large footrest
✅ Durable steel frame
✅Low standover height
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Lacks the extras of more expensive bikes
The Retrospec Cub offers incredible bang for your buck. At around $69, this balance bike gives you adjustable seat and handlebars, a lightweight steel frame, and EVA foam tires that will never go flat.
The step-through frame design makes it easy for little ones to hop on and off, and the extremely low standover height is perfect for smaller toddlers just getting started. The large footrest area is great for when you’re pushing your kiddo around the neighborhood.
While it lacks the bells and whistles of more expensive bikes (no handbrake, no steering limiter, and foam instead of air tires), the Cub is a fantastic entry-level option. If you’re not sure if your child will love biking yet, this is a safe investment that won’t break the bank.
The bike comes in fun, bright colors and has held up well through years of use by multiple kids. Just be aware that the paint will chip and scratch with typical toddler handling.
Read Review: Retrospec Cub
Strider Sport
Price: $129 List
Quick Info: 6.7 lbs, 12″ minimum inseam, no brake, foam tires
Reasons To Buy
✅ Strider brand name
✅ Adjustability
✅ Durable through multiple kids
Reasons To Avoid
❌ Foam tires
Strider has managed to so dominate the balance bike market, many people use the word “Strider” and balance bike interchangeably. This is a no-frills balance bike and lacks many of the features found on the other bikes we’ve listed here, BUT it’s durable and gets the job done.
The bike has a good deal of adjustability (both the handlebar and saddle can grow with your child) and fits kiddos between 18 months and 4 years old.
We don’t love the fact that the Strider doesn’t have pneumatic (air) tires, and it lacks a brake, BUT it is lightweight and comes in at a reasonable price. It also gives you access to fun events like Strider races, which wins it a place on our list.
Read Review: Strider
Other Balance Bike Options
- Have a baby? We’ve hand-picked balance bikes that fit toddlers (18 months to 3 years old). If your little one is still under 18 months old, take a look at our list of the best balance bikes for babies instead.
- Have an older kid? If you have an older preschooler, you’ll be better off checking out our list of the Best Balance Bikes For Preschoolers.
How to Choose the Best Balance Bike for Your Toddler
Here are the most important things to consider when shopping for a balance bike for your toddler.
Weight
Weight is a crucial deciding factor for bikes for kids of all ages but is even more important when we are talking about the 2 and under crowd. Toddlers who are just learning get frustrated easily, and the lighter weight the bike is, the more likely there are to succeed in their efforts (without a temper tantrum). When comparing two bikes of the same price, pick the lighter one.
Hand Brake
At 18 months, toddlers do NOT have the coordination required to use a handbrake. At this point, their feet work just fine as a brake.
For that reason, I do not make a handbrake a big deciding factor when choosing balance bikes for toddlers. That said, by 2.5 to 3 years old, kids begin to be able to use the handbrake and it is good practice for children getting ready to transition to a pedal bike.
So, if you plan on your child using this bike for several years, consider buying one with a handbrake.
Seat Height
The younger and smaller your child, the more important the minimum seat height. If you put a child on a bike that is too big for them, they are inevitably going to crash, get hurt, and become quickly frustrated.
Before buying a bike, measure their inseam and choose a bike with a minimum seat height no larger than their inseam. At this age, kids need to be able to put their feet flat on the ground when seated.
Price
As with all things in life, the more you spend, the nicer the bike is going to be. If the prices on this list make your eyes water, you might also consider searching on Facebook Marketplace or asking friends about buying a used bike. A high-quality used balance bike is generally a better choice than an inferior, cheap balance bike.
If price isn’t an issue (thanks Grandma and Grandpa!), then go straight for the Woom 1 or Prevelo Alpha Zero. You won’t be sorry.
Tires
You have two options when it comes to balance bike tires: foam/plastic or pneumatic (air). The foam or plastic tires are nice in that they never go flat (woohoo!), but my preference is always the pneumatic (air) tires.
Why? Because they offer superior traction when riding on grass, dirt, and gravel. While this may not be that important at 18 months when your toddler is likely to be riding on the driveway or even the kitchen, you’ll be surprised how quickly they become more adventurous and daring.
Wheel Size
While most balance bikes come with 12 inch wheels, you’ll also find some with 10 inch or 14 inch wheels. Most toddlers will do best with 12 inch wheels, but if they are very young or small, a bike with 10 inch wheels may provide the best fit. (We started our son on a 10 inch Haro, for instance).
On the other side of the spectrum, taller toddlers may want 14 inch wheels. (If this is the case for you, check out our list of balance bikes for older preschoolers instead).
The larger a bike’s wheels are, the easier it will be to roll up and over obstacles. They also make for a larger, heavier bike, so don’t move up wheel sizes until your child is truly ready to do so.
Steering Limiter
We really like steering limiters for young toddlers just learning to ride. A steering limiter keeps your child from over rotating their bars and crashing.
If your kiddo already knows how to ride, you can probably skip the steering limiter. But if your just starting your toddler on two wheels, this feature can be nice to have.
Our favorite steering limiters are removable not built in. This allows you to remove it to give your child the full range of movement once they are a little more aggressive.
Age
Even within the narrow “toddler” category, there are different things you should be looking for based on how old the child is that you’re shopping for.
18 months – The best balance bike for an 18 month-old is going to have a VERY low minimum seat height and a VERY light weight. A brake at the age is totally unnecessary, but is nice to have if you plan on keeping the bike around for a while. The same can be said for tires. At 18 months old, foam tires can be nice for riding inside the house, but by 2 or 3 air tires are the better bet.
2 years old – By 2 years old, you can skip the 10″ wheels and go right for a 12″ balance bike. Pick a bike that will last a year or two, until your toddler is ready to switch to their first pedal bike.
3 years old – If your child (or grandchild) is already in a 3T pant, consider buying a balance bike off our list of best balance bikes for pre-schoolers instead. If they are on the smaller side, stick with a bike on this list but make sure that it has a brake, a high maximum seatpost height, and pneumatic (air) tires. By 3, kids are pretty aggressive on the balance bike.
A Word On Electric Balance Bikes
While most kids don’t need an electric balance bike, it is an option. These little bikes are intended to teach your child to balance AND use a throttle. They are particularly attractive to families who want to introduce their kids to moto riding.
Learn More: Best Kids Electric Bikes For Toddlers To Teens
How We Test Balance Bikes
Because we can’t ride the balance bikes ourselves (well, we do do that sometimes but just to be silly), we have to spend hours watching little tykes ride these bikes. These are our kids, the neighbors kids, kids at the pump track.
While most toddlers will be riding their bikes in the driveway or cul de sac, we also try to test balance bikes under a variety of conditions. We take them off-road on grass as well as on unpaved trail and pump tracks. Basically, we do our best to use and abuse them.
More Reading To Help You Out
About Us
The Rascals are a family of three. Kristen (mom), Blair (dad), and Parker (kiddo). We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. As we learned, we shared. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.
Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. Parker is our resident tester and inspiration.
If you see us out on the trail, make sure to say hi!
Let Us Help You Find The Perfect Bike For YOUR Child!
You’ve been reading all the articles and doing all the research. But there are things that make YOUR child and your family’s situation unique.
That’s why we offer 1:1 help. Fill out our FREE “bike help” form, and we will hand pick a bike that would be a good fit for your child (and your budget).
Is Cruzee USA going out of business? I can’t get a hold of anyone for replacement parts. This is HORRIBLE service for the amount paid for the bike.
I have had to file fraudulent activity complaint against them on amazon. Please remove this company from your list!!!!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the heads-up, I’m super disappointed to hear about this. I’ll definitely get this post updated and remove them.
Clearly far too little far too late, but we have taken over the US market now and would love to know what happened and try to address the mess that I trust did happen in the Amazon Store.
The US agent who was managing this was a disaster and made a big mess. We are the manufacturer and brand owner and we have now taken over US market. What parts do you need?
Cruzee Team
Hi,
Have you had any kid testers on the Frog Tadpole Mini? I’m wondering how the handling compares to the Woom 1? And if that little bit of weight difference has a big effect on really young riders? Thanks
Re: Frog Tadpole Mini.. we have one and it’s a great bike. It is TINY. As in my big for his age son grew out of it before he was 2. Friends of ours whose kids are particularly petite have it now, and I think it’s a good fit for kids who are small rather than kids who are young. Our friends two youngest (18mo and 3) are both using and loving it. It’s got a much shorter wheelbase than the Woom, which made the cockpit cramped for my kid by the time he was sitting on the seat rather than walking with it between his legs. If your kid’s inseam is large enough already for the Woom, that’s the way to go.
Hi Lelsie,
We haven’t gotten our hands on the Tadpole mini to do a full test/review, but I have had the opportunity to watch several children ride it….It handles as well as the Woom 1. The biggest difference is that it’s smaller. That’s great for truly TINY kids with short inseams, but the smaller wheels also make it harder to roll over obstacles….and it’s not going to grow with your child as long…..
The Norco Runner 10 is a great bike for a 10″ wheeled balance bike. I think it would be a good addition to your list. Great colors, quality and cheaper than the 10″ you have listed at $150 US. My daughter is 22 months now and really starting to get the hang of it.
I’ve been considering buying my niece a balance bike and I noticed there is a new one on Target.com called the Mobo Explorer Balance Bike and it’s a lot cheaper than what you have listed. Can you give a review on the pros and cons of that one?
Hi Brenda,
Compared to the bikes on this list, the Mobo is a much “cheaper” bike. It has plastic wheels and tires, a quill-style headset, etc. Though I haven’t tested it out first-hand, like other similar bikes, I wouldn’t expect it to be exceptionally durable. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it, just expect the quality to be more like a toy than a real bike that will last a long time / can be handed down, etc.
If you are looking for a budget bike, you could also check one of the bikes on this list instead: https://rascalrides.com/best-budget-balance-bikes-under-100/
Cheers,
KB
Hi, do you have any insight on the Wishbone balance bikes from New Zealand?
Hi HJ,
I only have experience with the Wishbone 3-in-1. Its a great bike and one I recommend often for little ones who aren’t quite ready for a balance bike yet, but will be soon.
Is it possible to find a balance bike for a 7 year old? I’m looking forward budget bike too.
Hi Toni, Unfortunately there aren’t many balance bikes for kids older than 5. Your best bet is probably going to be to get a pedal bike, lower the saddle all the way, and remove the pedals. Your kiddo can then practice using the bike like a balance bike.
How do these compare to Trek balance bikes?
Hi Trish,
The Trek balance bikes are good little bikes! The biggest difference between the Trek Kickster and the bikes on our “Top 5” list is the lack of a handbrake. The higher-end bikes also have things like an aluminum fork (rather than a somewhat cheap-ish hi-ten steel fork on the Trek), recessed bolts, a removable steering limiter, and top-shelf components (tires, headset, etc). So, to summarize: the Trek balance bike is a good bike, just not a GREAT bike.
Great review, very helpful. What are your thoughts on the Mini Glider? I’d LOVE to buy anything from your list (REALLY want the Woom 1), but everything is out of stock from what I can find. The only one I saw available was the Yedo TooToo and I’m undecided on that. My son really wants a red bike and I’m not really digging the color choices, and I think a foot rest would be good for him. With his older brother’s bike, he likes to have daddy push him and he puts his feet on the foot rests, but who knows what he’d want/do with an appropriate sized bike for a 2 year old. Thanks.
Hi Candelaria,
Here’s my review of the Mini Glider: https://rascalrides.com/glide-bikes-mini-glider-12-balance-bike-review/
It’s not my FAVORITE balance bike, but with everything sold out, heck, get whatever you can get your hands on!
Cheers,
KB
Hi my son is 15 months old and very comfortable on his kinder feet tiny tot 2in1 tricycle, which also turns into a balance bike. He goes very fast and goes up and down hills. I was thinking of transitioning him to a balance bike now, but most reviews say 18months so I’m a bit confirmed whether I should or shouldn’t. I feel he would enjoy it more because he’s outgrowing the seat height and if I raise the seat more then he hits the back axel of the bike (which wouldn’t be there when I turn it into a balance bike)
I’d LOVE to buy anything from your list, my son is 1 year old and very comfortable on his kinder feet. He run very fast and goes up and down like hills. I am thinking bye for him to a balance bike now, the Trek balance bike is a good bike. I want to bye it. 🙂
Hi and thank you for the review! This was really helpful. Unfortunately most of the bikes you mentioned (not the most expensive ones) are hard to find in stock. Are you maybe familiar with ‘ Co-op Cycles REV 12 Kids’? Thank you, Jelena
Thank you for this helpful review. As other comments have suggested, there is not a lot of inventory right now. I am wondering what your 2nd, 3rd or 4th recommendations are for a light weight balance bike with 10-11” seat height with pneumatic tires. It doesn’t look like the frog mini and Woom 1 are going to be available any time soon 🙁
Hi,
what are your 2 cents on the Banwood First Go, balance bikes?
Love your website. It was so helpful to this grandmother shopping for a balance bike. I purchased the Woom 1 last using the link. Can’t wait for Christmas.