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Sports & Fitness Cycling

Best Kids' Balance Bikes

Updated November 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
Strider
12 Sport Balance Bike
Best for toddlers

A durable balance bike that can handle frequent wear and tear. Sized for toddlers through preschoolers.

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Best for toddlers
Bottom Line

A durable balance bike that can handle frequent wear and tear. Sized for toddlers through preschoolers.

Pros

High-quality. Durable. Teaches kids to balance in just a few weeks. For ages 18 months to 5 years. Fits 12-inch to 20-inch inseams. Toddler-sized grips for better control. Built-in footrests allow better balance and glide. Padded seat and handlebar pad. Durable steel frame, puncture-proof tires.

Cons

Has foam tires instead of rubber, but this means they are puncture-free and won't go flat.

Best Bang for the Buck
KaZAM No-Pedal Balance Bike
KaZAM
No-Pedal Balance Bike
Simple Yet Solid

Intended for preschoolers, this bike includes a footrest so that kids can easily find their center of gravity.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Intended for preschoolers, this bike includes a footrest so that kids can easily find their center of gravity.

Pros

Kids love the footrest. Durable and sturdy. Patented footrest design helps to find the center of gravity. Adjustable seat and handlebars. Seat height ranges from 13.5 to 16.5 inches. Accommodates children up to 5 years old. Puncture-resistant EVA tires.

Cons

Handlebars are a little tight and take extra time to assemble.

Strider 12 Classic Balance Bike
Strider
12 Classic Balance Bike
Good for Small Children

This balance bike lets smaller toddlers and preschoolers keep up with older siblings and cousins.

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Good for Small Children
Bottom Line

This balance bike lets smaller toddlers and preschoolers keep up with older siblings and cousins.

Pros

Durable. Teaches kids balance in a few weeks. Seat and handlebar heights adjust to accommodate ages 18 months to 3 years or a 12-inch to 17-inch inseam. Lightweight frame weighs only 6.7 pounds. Easy to assemble. Built-in footrests are perfect for learning to balance and glide.

Cons

Foam tires won't go flat but lack the traction of rubber.

Schwinn Koen Balance Bike
Schwinn
Koen Balance Bike
Trusted Brand

If rubber tires are important to you, you'll want to check out this Schwinn balance bike.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

If rubber tires are important to you, you'll want to check out this Schwinn balance bike.

Pros

Heavier than other bikes. Better for preschoolers than toddlers. Weight and frame feel more like a real bike. Has a Schwinn frame design. Air tires and tubes give better traction than plastic wheels. Adjustable seat height and handlebars. Choice of colors.

Cons

Too heavy for toddlers, but a good weight for preschoolers.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
September 27, 2021
35
Models
considered
12
Hours
researched
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Ade Hennis
Written by Ade Hennis

Updated November 2022

Balance bikes are pedal-less bicycles that help younger children transition from tricycles to 2-wheeled bicycles. These innovative bikes let kids focus on steering and balance without being distracted by pedaling and speed. Since they are are propelled by foot, they allow kids to get a better sense of balancing on 2 wheels. Some are able to skip training wheels entirely when they transition to a pedal bike. When choosing a balance bike, you’ll want to consider the weight and size of the bike frame. A bike that’s too heavy will make it hard for your child to stay upright. You’ll also want to consider size and adjustability, since they are made for quickly-growing toddlers and preschoolers.

Our Top Picks
Strider
Best of the Best
Strider
12 Sport Balance Bike
Bottom Line
A durable balance bike that can handle frequent wear and tear. Sized for toddlers through preschoolers.
Shop Now
KaZAM
Best Bang for the Buck
KaZAM
No-Pedal Balance Bike
Bottom Line
Intended for preschoolers, this bike includes a footrest so that kids can easily find their center of gravity.
Shop Now
Strider
Top Pick
Strider
12 Classic Balance Bike
Bottom Line
This balance bike lets smaller toddlers and preschoolers keep up with older siblings and cousins.
Shop Now
Schwinn
Top Pick
Schwinn
Koen Balance Bike
Bottom Line
If rubber tires are important to you, you'll want to check out this Schwinn balance bike.
Shop Now
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